One day when he was 15 years old, Israel was sitting at a picnic table on Makaha Beach playing his ukulele when Jerry Koko stopped by to talk story. Jerry invited Israel over to his house to kanikapila (play music). He then met Moon Kauakahi and Jerry's brother, John Koko. Israel told the boys about his brother, Skippy, and how he could play guitar. After playing togther for awhile, the boys decided to start a group and the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau were born. First consisting of Israel, Skippy, Moon, Mel Amina (Israel's cousin) and Sam Grey, their first big break was being on the Jerry Lewis telethon.
I'll Be There
Israel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you must make Soveish and a man.
And if you need me, oh, i'll be there.
When I was a little boy, a grand for the sea to me.
Since to help your friends and neighbors,
to live in all of me. When the man walks in darkness,
he stumbles right upon. You should be his brother,
to help him all along. Take the time to look our eyes,
It's to look the other way,
listen to what the ground says.
"Why don't you say."When I was a little boy,
a grand for the sea to me.
Since to help your friends and neighbors,
to live in all of me.(Solo)Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana,
when I was a Keiki my Tutukani said to me.
Since to help your friends and neighbors,
to live in all of me. When the man walks in darkness,
he stumbles right upon. You should be his brother now,
to help him all along. I'll be there to help you too,
you are faint in all I heard.
Just call my neighbors, and I'll be there.
Oh, I'll be there. Yes, I'll be there.
Israel's song, "I'll Be There," is a message on the importance of helping others and being a good neighbor. The song emphasizes the idea that people need to plan and work together and help each other when they are in need. The opening line of the song encourages planning, suggesting that in order to accomplish anything, we need to make a plan, "You and I must make a plan, you must make Soveish and a man." Soveish in Hebrew means to arrange or plan, so the line is encouraging listeners to make a plan.
Israel then reminds us of the importance of being there for others in time of need, "And if you need me, oh, I'll be there." He draws from his childhood memories to remind us that it's an essential value to help our friends and neighbors, "When I was a little boy, a grand for the sea to me. Since to help your friends and neighbors, to live in all of me." The reference to the sea is a metaphor for the vastness of the world and the many people in it. The line implies that helping people around us is what should compel us to live a full life.
The song also encourages people not to turn a blind eye to others in need but to offer help, "Take the time to look our eyes, your brother stomps the ground. It's to look the other way, listen to what the ground says. 'Why don't you say?'" The song emphasizes the importance of kindness while portraying the idea that when one is in need, there's someone out there who can help.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I must make a plan,
We need to come together and strategize to achieve our goals.
you must make Soveish and a man.
You should be confident and strong-willed in making decisions.
And if you need me, oh, i'll be there.
I will always be available to support you when you need me.
When I was a little boy, a grand for the sea to me.
When I was young, I was taught the importance of helping others and being kind.
Since to help your friends and neighbors,
It's crucial to lend a helping hand to those around you.
to live in all of me. When the man walks in darkness,
The true essence of my being is to live a life of service and offer hope to those in need.
he stumbles right upon.
People can struggle in life and lose their way.
You should be his brother, to help him all along.
We should treat each other like family and offer support to one another.
Take the time to look our eyes, your brother stomps the ground.
We should take the time to connect with our peers and observe their struggles.
It's to look the other way, listen to what the ground says.
Ignoring someone's pain doesn't make it go away; we should take the time to listen and help.
"Why don't you say."
We should encourage people to speak up and share their problems with us.
Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana, when I was a Keiki my Tutukani said to me.
This is a saying that was passed down to me by my elders.
I'll be there to help you too, you are faint in all I heard.
I will always be there to offer support to those who need it most.
Just call my neighbors, and I'll be there.
Don't hesitate to seek help from friends and family when you need it most.
Oh, I'll be there. Yes, I'll be there.
I will always be there to offer support and lend a helping hand when people need it most.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dbg989898
A gift to the world this man was. I am so moved by each of his songs. He is in God's house now singing his songs for all of us.
@Windansr
His music touches the soul. His spirit moves us with every word. Share the love, live the words. What a tribute for such a loving man, to see his words make a difference in so many peoples lives.("Take the time to look around, brothers on the ground, please don't look the other way")Mahalo for this post. Rest in Peace IZ, you are so loved. Smile, your messages have not fallen on deaf ears. We listen, we hear and how can we not pass it on. One touches another, and it begins....LOVE grows
@warrenscottwilliams8060
When I was a little boy my grandfather told me always be a good neighbor !!!!
@Lulu4Him
I was surfing YT looking for peaceful music when I found IZ. I am so deeply touched by his music/voice. Not just that, but his personality too. You can see from his vids that he had so much love! And people loved him. It would have been an honor to meet him, maybe someday I will in heaven.
@wolfmazspirit
Each time I hear him sing it doesnt matter how bad a day I have had his voice clams me down and everything seems to be so much better and once again the sunshines!
@Echenicia
I never get tired of listening to his music..He's a great inspiration...
@Windansr
Such a beautiful voice, a huge heart & soul. He sings from his heart and shares his messages with us all. ..."take the time to look around.....please don't look the other way...." Mahalo nui for this post. Peace & love during this holiday season and every day hereafter. Carry Iz's words in your heart . Rest In Peace Bruddah Iz.
@YorkieDeb
I visited Hawaii 4 years ago and fell in love with the place & the voice of IZ. IZ's soothing, angelic voice was an inspiration to me. This great man gave me great comfort when nursing my father through cancer and we played somewhere over the rainbow at my fathers funeral. God bless you IZ and may you continue to sing as an angel in heaven as you did as an angel on earth xxx
@Ender4175
Rest in peace, Brother Iz! Thank you for sharing your wonderful sounds with us while you were here!
@Kellyssongs
A Hawaiian Angel ! If only the world were filled with people like Izzy ! God Bless you and your family...