Parihaka - Tim Finn and The Herbs

 Parihaka - Tim Finn and The Herbs

Parihaka Lyrics

What is the Main Message of this Song?

This song tells the story of the Parihaka Protests and the stealing of the Parihaka. The singer talked about the stealing of Parihaka because he thought it was still important for the Maori Tribes to reclaim their land.

What line explains their passive resistance method?

''Te Whiti he used the language of the spirit,

Then stood accused, the madman and his dream,¨

What does 'you can't pull out the roots' refer to?

I feel that the verse 'you can't pull out the roots' implies that they can't remove the way of life, culture or heritage from Parihaka. 

Another meaning can be that they can't pull up their soil, crops, plants or anything they have planted;.

Give evidence of their determination

Rise up, defend yourself, never give in

When the Europeans invaded Parihaka and tried to take control of the settlement. 

How does this song show the significance to Parihaka?

My friend, My friend, I hate to see you suffer,

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,

Look to the sky, the spirit of Te Whiti,

The endless tide is murmuring his name. 

The song tells us how the Europeans wanted to take control of their land, people etc. But the song insisted them to not let them be controlled, and not let them be forgotten and remember who led them and forever remember him and what he did for them.