The Seekers - Isa Lei

[gremlinuk1968]

is it marie,,.??sry my english,,

[macvatu]

A lot of people have laid claim to the origin of this song or perhaps the tune, but this one "Isa Lei" is definitely Fijian and it means a lot of things to the different people and races who live in and call Fiji, home. When you hear the song while away from home, you're transported back there and see the smiling faces of the singers bidding you Farewell and garlands of hibiscus and the hot and beautiful sunshine. There's also an English version of the song, once recorded by singer Dinah Shore.

[100yrsable]

uuu..sound amazing...thx Seekers...

[coralcoast93]

I love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jasoncourtneyjoseph]

4th generation indian and now a fijian, i could play this song on a guitar on any given day......for fiji ever fiji.

[StephenHarland1]

I learned this song in Fiji as a child in 1968 when Fiji was a colony.

[chiuola]

this is a tongan song from 1915 queen salotes favored she was only 15 at that time

[StephenHarland1]

@chiuola This song is Fijian not tongan

[beutilisious]

@StephenHarland1  what does it matter who lays claim it a beutiful song peace bros dave uk

[Buks123]

@chiuola I'm pretty sure it was 1913. The King wrote it for Queen Salote

[daniboo619]

@Buks123

[daniboo619]

@Buks123  Yes i do bilive for Queen Salote Queen of the kingdom Of Tonga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Onetime8224]

@daniboo619 ....thats a ridiculous claim! Why didn't it have Queen Salote's name in it or from King whoever name to prove your point?

You are playing around with a pointless claim.Would have been closer if Tuimala wrote the tune 'cause she has an amazing voice. Anyway.........this song is Fijian fullstop!

[melbgal]

Who Ever sings this I LOVE it. My first trip to FijI in 1976 (age 7) one of my 14 trips back (my parents have been 25 tmes) this song. I love dearly, brings me to tears always! Memories of a Long passed Resort., "Paradise Point " (Korolevu) ...and the old "Reef Hotel Resort" (now the "outrigger")

[robstripper]

evertime I hear this song I'm taken back to the departure lounge in Nadi - wonderful memories

[Fijilass]

Good version but the best one is a Fijian choir singing without music - so poignant and beautiful

[Feesili]

The original English version to this song is "God Be with You" Samoan version is called "Ia Fa'atasi Pea Iesu ma 'Oe" Tongan version is "E 'Otua 'E" and Fijian Isa Lei...

[keithjas]

I remember learning this in primary school, one of my teachers married a fijian and when she came back from her honeymoon she teached this song to us. I will never forget this song.

[sugarbooger111]

Can anyone sing the Tongan version. I heard the original song composed by a Tongan

[forsburgers]

How right you are Bridges. I loved The Seekers early more 'folkier' style albums. They contained some fabulous arrangements of great traditional music. I have to add tho that anything Ms Durham sings leaves me breathless.  regards,Kel

[spiritfingers1]

Vinaka Vaka Levu Kemudou! Beautiful to hear europeans sing a fijian song so well.

[grimTales1]

The Seekers are Australian, not European, but I know what you mean. It's so beautiful, so soothing.

[spiritfingers1]

Thats what I meant! To fijians anyone with white skin is called european.

[dinnerinasandwich]

@spiritfingers1 lolol it's true

[redecloudizatio]

@spiritfingers1 white Australians finds their roots in Europe..it doesn't matter where you go, your roots is what you are. Australians are the Aborigines. The whites in Australia either were convicts sentenced to the "island jail" as they called it back in the days in Great Britain, or migrants of European descents. You people talk smart without solid facts you shit!

[spiritfingers1]

@redecloudizatio Random! lol!

[da1ntree]

@redecloudizatio you poor unfortunate person - the song is beautiful in any language especially in Fijian!! I was BORN in Australia so I am a PROUD Australian - it's too bad you can't see past your harsh facts. We embrace all cultures here. Isa Lei to you too...

[grimTales1]

This is beautiful, magical.

[marylocks92]

beautiful farewell song. Love it!!

[grimTales1]

This is lovely.

[KleverGirl1]

Isa lei was also sung as the ships departed the islands.

[spiritfingers1]

Yes! Isa lei is an old farewell song and since they didn't have planes or cars it would naturally be sung to visitors departing by ship.

[Robbiemack1960]

nice to listen too many thanks for shareing it with us

[LashBridges]

I'm not a singles guy. All you get from a single is a sound byte. That's all. Very shallow. I prefer studio albums in their entirety. This one, their 2nd album ( which was entitled 'The Seekers' in Europe, not to be confused with their 1st album recorded in Australia ,entitled 'Introducing The Seekers') is my favorite. This and the following album, 'Hide and Seekers' were so grounded in folk. Then, with 'Come the Day, pop really infused their sound, just like their singles.