The Sky And The Earth

Album: Right Here (2009)
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Songfacts®:

  • Although the elder sister of Bic Runga is every inch a Western rock musician, she has never forgotten her heritage. The three Runga sisters - Boh, Pearl and Bic - are the daughters of a Chinese mother and a Maori father. This song is based on the myth of Ranginui and Papatuanuku, or in English, Father Sky and Mother Earth. The original names are sometimes shortened to Rangi and Papa.

    Although the Maoris were extremely isolated, such myths are universal. The Maori version is rather complicated, but the Sky and the Earth are pushed apart never to be reunited again.

    Bo herself wrote: "Love the idea of a love never-ending and of a want that will never fade. I'm especially proud of the way the choruses describe the way they feel about each other." She adds: "It's a sad song but also has something anthemic and positive in it which I very much like."

    If she had been as vain as she is talented, she might have added that it is quite beautiful. She didn't, and it is. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

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