 |
Sunday
August 01, 2010
|
|
|
| 10/3/2007 9:00:00 AM |  |  | | Keith Haugen, a 1958 graduate of Lake Bronson High School was recently honored in Hawaii for his song poem. - photo submitted |
|
Minnesota-born songwriter honored in Hawaii
Cordell Keith Haugen, a native Minnesotan, was honored in Hawaii Sept. 21 with The Literary Award for his songpoem called "Cease Fire."
The International Peace Day ceremony was held in the atrium of the State Capitol building.
In accepting the award from State House Speaker Calvin Say, Haugen renewed his call for peace on earth, goodwill to all men, and he praised those who dare to stand up for peace. Asked to say a few words, the honoree quoted the first lines from the song, then added ... "shalom ... salaam ... paz ... pace ... heiwa ... pyung hwa ... maluhia ... peace," the word peace in eight languages.
Haugen wrote "Cease Fire" as a Christmas song in 1987-88 when Iraq and Iran were at war and the US government was supplying weapons to both sides. "It was during the Reagan-Bush regime and the Iran-Contra Affair, which led to felony charges against the Secretary of Defense and a U.S. Marine colonel," the poet said. "I was very upset that we would preach peace and a good neighbor policy, while arming and encouraging neighboring countries to kill each other."
He has written a new Christmas song every year since 1984, and one of his songs, "It's Christmas (All Over The World)," has become popular in several countries. It was chosen as the theme song for the half-time show of the Aloha Bowl Game on Christmas Day 1989. Another, "Song of Peace," his 2004 Christmas song, includes the words for peace in many different languages-Hebrew, Arabic, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Hawaiian, and English.
"Cease Fire" is my most unusual Christmas song, and at the time several people questioned why I would write such a song," Haugen said. "But it grew on people, especially patriots and others who want peace instead of war." The song has been recorded and released several times, including an award-winning rendition by a popular Hawaiian trio called The Patriots.
Haugen is often called upon to sing "Cease Fire" and other pro-peace songs in concerts and at anti-war rallies, other special events. He headlined a concert honoring Pete Seeger on Seeger's 86th birthday, and just last week, sang at a Honolulu rally for U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, "the only real peace candidate" for President.
A U.S. Army veteran, and his Hawaiian wife, Carmen, play "Cease Fire" every Sunday on their award-winning "Music of Hawaii" program on Hawaii Public Radio. You can hear it at www.hawaiipublicradio.org . They dedicate the song to patriots and peacemakers, and Veterans for Peace.
The Haugens have performed in Waikiki and in many Mainland cities and foreign countries for more than 35 years, and many times in Minnesota, including four concerts in his hometown in the 80s and 90s. They also performed at the Mall of America and in several other venues in the state of his birth.
The poet/songwriter has written hundreds of poems and songs, and has won numerous awards for both. He is perhaps best known in Minnesota for his "Minnesota Blue," penned in 1985. Although it has not received "official poem" status, "Minnesota Blue" has been included on the state's official web site for many years. Minnesota North Star: minnesota blue minnesota poem
Haugen, who teaches music and Hawaiian language, noted that there is little or no difference between poets and songwriters. "In Hawaiian, the word 'hakumele' is used to describe both-it is one who weaves words, whether they are read, recited, sung, or chanted. 'Mele' is used to mean poem, song, or music."
Keith was born in Greenbush, Roseau County, and raised in Lake Bronson, Kittson County, both in Northwestern Minnesota. He is a graduate of Lake Bronson High School, class of 1958, and was educated at Idaho State University and the University of Hawaii-Manoa, where he earned his BA in Hawaiian Language, Music and Culture.
"Cease Fire"
by C. Keith Haugen, ASCAP
Not far from where the Christ Child lay, men are killing men today
While we talk of peace on earth, goodwill to men
Bombs and rockets light the sky, where angels once sang on high
And we supply the weapons that spell their bloody end.
If you listen, you can still hear the angels,
It matters not where you may be
You might even hear God's own voice commanding:
"Cease fire! Let My people be."
Somewhere on this blessed earth,
There's been trouble since before his birth
Men cried out, but we ignored their plea
Now while they're fighting over there,
We raise our voice in common prayer,
For an end to war, for everlasting peace.
If you listen, you can still hear the angels,
It matters not where you may be,
You might even hear God's own voice commanding:
"Cease fire! Set My people free."
So listen, leaders of every land,
It's time to stop and take a stand
Peace and love are gifts that you should give
If dreams of peace should now come true
The world will send its thanks to you
Cease Fire! Let all God's children live.
If you listen, you can still hear the angels,
It matters not where you may be
You might even hear God's own voice commanding:
"Cease fire! Come celebrate with Me."
"Cease Fire," was written in 1987-88, when Iraq and Iran were at war and the US was supplying weapons to both sides. It was first recorded in 1988, and has been recorded several times since, by the composer, The Patriots, Don Shane, and others. © 1988, C. Keith Haugen, published by Island Viking, PO Box 1976, Honolulu, Hawaii 96805 USA (808) 951-4332 hakumele@aol.com
|
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, December 07, 2007
Article comment by:
Raymond Takahashi
Great to honor one from your home state. He has so much energy and talent.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
|
| | S | M | T | W | T | F | S | |
| 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
| 8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
| 15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
| 22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
| 29 |
30 |
31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
