Parihaka social studies

 In our social studies class we learned about Spirituals, these are religious songs they sing it during funerals and in the praise house 

here is an example of a song 

Parihaka by Tim Finn

My friend, My friend, I hate to see you suffer, - this is about seeing pain that the slaves are experiencing.

Events conspire to bring us to our knees,

My friend, my friend, you've taken this the wrong way, 

Rise up, defend yourself, never give in, - this is about giving hope.

Look to the sky, the spirit of Te Whiti,

The endless tide is murmuring his name. 

I know Te Whiti will never be defeated,

And even at the darkest hour,

His presence will remain.

I'll sing to you the song of Parihaka.

Te Whiti he used the language of the spirit,

Then stood accused, the madman and his dream,

He saw the train go roaring through the tunnel,

He heard the voice travel on the magic wire,

But he loved the silence of the river,

He watched the dog piss on the cannon's wheel.

I know Te Whiti will never be defeated, - finding hope

And even at the darkest hour, - finding hope

His presence will remain.

I'll sing to you the song of Parihaka.

One day you'll know the truth,

They can't pull out the roots,

Come and take me home,

To weep for my lost brother.

They gather still, the clouds of Taranaki,

His children's children wearing the white plume,

So take me for the sins of these sad islands,

The wave still breaks on the rock of Rouhotu.

And when you taste the salt that's on your pudding,

And when you taste the sugar in your soup,

Think of Te Whiti, he'll never be defeated,

Even at the darkest hour,

His presence will remain,

I'll sing for you the song of Parihaka,

Come to Parihaka,

Weep for my lost brother,

The spirit of nonviolence,

Has come to fill the silence, Come to Parihaka.

This song tells the story of the peaceful protest. Finn was given Dick Scott's 'Ask That Mountain' by his sister and was told to write a song about it. 'rise up, rise up, defend yourself' was a line that talks about how they were protesting peacefully and still the others retaliated violently. They were determined to set a better future that will be sustainable. The song is significant because it tells us not only the story of the men but the woman and children as well.