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" Mele Kalikimaka" (pronounced [ˈmɛlɛ kəˌlitiˈmɐkə]) is a Hawaiian-themed Christmas song written in 1949 by R. Alex Anderson. The song takes its title from the Hawaiian transliteration of "Merry Christmas", Mele Kalikimaka. [1] One of the earliest recordings of this song was by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters in 1950 on Decca. [2]
Hawaiian Blossoms (with Arthur Godfrey; 1951, Columbia CL 6190) [7] Compilations. Christmas With Arthur Godfrey and All The Little Godfreys (1953, Columbia B-348; Kahauolopua sings Mele Kalikimaka) [7] Al Kealoha Perry & His Singing Surfriders: Aloha, Hula Hawaiian Style (1996, Hana Ola Records. Perry was musical director of Hawaii Calls 1937 ...
Robert Alexander Anderson (often given as R. Alex Anderson) (June 6, 1894 – May 30, 1995) [1] was an American composer who was born and lived most of his life in Hawaii, writing many popular Hawaiian songs within the hapa haole genre including "Lovely Hula Hands" (1940) and "Mele Kalikimaka" (1949), the latter the best known Hawaiian Christmas song.
The phrase is borrowed directly from English, but, since Hawaiian has a different phonological system (in particular, Hawaiian does not possess the /r/ or /s/ of English, nor does it have the phonotactic constraints to allow consonants at the end of a syllable), "Merry Christmas" becomes "Mele Kalikimaka". [9]
Ulukau: The Hawaiian Electronic Library is an online, digital library of Native Hawaiian reference material for cultural and Hawaiian language studies. The services are free and are provided and maintained by Kahaka ‘Ula O Ke’elikolani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaii at Hilo [1] and Ka Waihona Puke 'Ōiwi Native Hawaiian Library at Alu Like. [2]
Mele are chants, songs, or poems. The term comes from the Hawaiian language. It is frequently used in song titles such as "He Mele Lāhui Hawaiʻi", composed in 1866 by Liliʻuokalani as a national anthem. Hawaiian songbooks often carry the word in the book's title. [1] Mele is a cognate of Fijian language meke.
He pololei ʻoe! And for the use directly above me. Yes, the Hawaiian word "mele" does mean song. However, in the case of Mele Kalikimaka, the word Mele means Merry. If in doubt, please pick up a copy of the Hawaiian Dictionary, writted by [Mary Kawena Pukui] and [Samuel H. Elbert] and turn to page 481. This should clear up any confusion.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) – The Hawaiian song "Mele Kalikimaka", sung by Crosby and the Andrews Sisters is used to illustrate a dream sequence. A further nod to the Crosby influence on Christmas comes at Griswold's darkest hour when the family guests pack to leave the disaster stricken house.