Hymnal History
History of Church Music in Samoa(Download the complete history - PDF link)The first book of hymns used by the Mormon Church in Samoa was a compilation of translations contributed by some of the missionaries, namely, E.F. Soderberg, J.H. Beck, F. E. Morris, R. H. Stevens, Ed. J. Woods, J.H. Carpenter, A.A. Lemon, and a native Samoan, Tua. This first book of hymns was given the name O PESE A SIONA (Songs of Zion) and consisted of 184 translations. It was printed without music in 1908 by the Deseret News Press, Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1915, Samoan Mission President, John A. Nelson, appointed Elder Harry A. Dean (Misi Alona) to compile a new book containing BOTH WORDS AND MUSIC. Joseph H. Dean (Misi Tina), Harry’s Father and First Missionary to Samoa and Kipeni Su’apa’ia assisted with the work of compilation and translation. Several of the unused hymns in the word book were eliminated, new translations were made and a book of words and music was printed by the Paradise of the Pacific Press in Honolulu in 1918. This book consisted of 267 hymns and retained the name O PESE A SIONA. A second printing of this book was made in 1938, during the administrations of mission presidents Wilford W. Emery and William G. Sears. These two editions of the PESE A SIONA served the music needs of the Samoan Mission from 1918 until 1965. In 1958, the need for a revision of O PESE A SIONA was recognized. Again, Harry A. Dean (Misi Alona) and Kipeni Su’apa’ia were called and appointed to make additional translations and to edit and proof read the revised book. They worked in close correlation with mission presidents Charles I. Sampson and J. Phillip Hanks, under the direction of the Church Missionary Committee. The work of translation, compilation and edition covered a period of four years, and the book was printed in June 1965 by the Deseret News Press, Salt Lake City. |
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| The following changes and additions were made in this Revised Edition: • The name of the book was changed from O PESE A SIONA to O VIIGA I LE ATUA (Praises to God). • Many of the unused hymns in O PESE A SIONA were eliminated. • Arrangements for men’s and women’s voices were added. • Ten beautiful anthems were translated and included in this book. • The hymns were classified into four classifications: Songs for Congregation, Songs for Choir, Songs for Mens’ Voices, and Songs for Women’s Voices. • English titles were printed under the Samoan titles. • Expression marks and Metronome Markings were placed at the head of each hymn. • Three Indexes were placed in this book. The Topical Index was enlarged and more headings added. • Names of Authors, Composers and Translators were added after the titles in the Index. • Necessary changes were made in any of the hymns in such matters as correct meter, rhyme, accent, and literal translation. Our hearts rejoice and we are humbly grateful for the privilege which has been ours to assist with the work of Revision and Translation on this new and enlarged edition. May this work contribute to the edification of the Samoan Saints worldwide and Christians everywhere. |
Signed: Charles Sampson: Mission President J. Phillip Hanks: Mission President Harry A Dean: Editing and Translating Kipeni Su’apa’ia: Translating |