Born in Tauranga, Ria spent time in Auckland and Australia, before settling in Wellington and really finding her musical feet. She co-formed and fronted the reggae band Hope Road, who, in performing at the Parihaka International Peace Festival and Wellington’s Waitangi Day One Love event, won the respect of Aotearoa's elite roots, reggae and soul music communities. This led to her joining Hollie Smith’s live ensemble, becoming part of Eru Dangerspiel’s psychedelic explosion, and, latterly, performing backing vocals for the 2010 reunion shows of the iconic Trinity Roots.
Her profile has also been lifted significantly by her inspired performance at the opening ceremony of Rugby World Cup 2011 – a performance witnessed by a televised audience of millions.
Working with producer and mentor Riki Gooch (Eru Dangerspiel, Trinity Roots) on her debut self titled EP, Ria has fashioned a vibrant new take on an age-old story. By incorporating her many disparate influences – Māori performing arts, te reo Māori, modern musical palettes, whānau, and her own life history into a seamless whole, she presents her story, her perspective. Her story begins here...
History
Ria Hall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crafted of mud and storm and dirt
I wear my stories on my skin
I swear it's were we must begin
Give the children the knowledge
Let them bathe in the sun
May they bask in the glory
Of the time we became one
So they know who they are
Show them all of the writings
Of the time we came became one
Know your history yeah
Know your history yeah
Look around you can't deny
Deny it noo
North to South ain't nowhay to hide it
Yeah
Yeah
Sing it dohdohdohdoh
Doh doh
Let the flood gates open
Let the rivers flow
Bring our worlds together
So the children they know
Know your history yeah
Know your history yeah
Know your history yeah
Know your history yeah
Know your history yeah
Know your history yeah
Know your history yeah
One more
Know your history yeah
The lyrics to Ria Hall's song "History" speak to the importance of understanding one's roots and history. The first two lines set the tone for the rest of the song with the imagery of the singer's feet being fashioned from earth and mud, grounding them in their ancestral heritage. The following lines discuss the importance of passing down this knowledge to the next generation so that they too can understand where they come from and how they fit into the larger story of humanity.
The repetition of the refrain, "Know your history yeah," emphasizes the message of the song and serves as a call to action for the listener to take the time to learn and appreciate their history. The bridge emphasizes the universality of this message, with the singer urging us to "Look around you can't deny / Deny it noo / North to South ain't nowhere to hide it." This is a nod to the fact that everyone has a history to be proud of and it is something that should be celebrated and acknowledged.
Overall, "History" is a song that is both a celebration of individual roots and a call to action for everyone to take the time to learn and understand where they come from.
Line by Line Meaning
My feet are fashioned from the earth
I am connected to the earth and its history
Crafted of mud and storm and dirt
My identity and origins are rooted in nature
I wear my stories on my skin
My body carries the traditions and history of my people
I swear it's where we must begin
To understand who we are, we must first recognize our history
Give the children the knowledge
Teach the next generation the truth about their past
Let them bathe in the sun
Let them bask in the light of our shared history
May they bask in the glory
May they feel pride in the accomplishments of their ancestors
Of the time we became one
Of the time when our diverse cultures came together and united
Give the children the teachings
Provide them with the teachings that have been passed down
So they know who they are
So they can understand their place in the world and their identity
Show them all of the writings
Expose them to the literature that has shaped us
Of the time we became one
Of the time when our diverse cultures came together and united
Know your history yeah
Emphasize the importance of understanding one's history
Know your history yeah
Remind people that their past is essential to who they are today
Look around you can't deny
Current conditions reflect our shared history
Deny it noo
We cannot ignore or dispute the truth
North to South ain't nowhay to hide it
The effects of our history are everywhere and cannot be concealed
Sing it dohdohdohdoh
Express the message of unity through music
Doh doh
Simplicity in the message of unity
Let the flood gates open
Let the barriers between cultures and history be removed
Let the rivers flow
Let the knowledge and understanding flow freely between people
Bring our worlds together
Unite cultures and histories
So the children they know
So the next generation will recognize the interconnectedness of our histories
Know your history yeah
Emphasize the importance of understanding one's history
Know your history yeah
Remind people that their past is essential to who they are today
Know your history yeah
Encourage understanding and remembering the past for a united future
Writer(s): Ria Hall
Contributed by Muhammad B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.