A diminutive Pākehā (a Māori of European descent), now in her twenties, Hollie Smith is one of New Zealand’s most prominent female singer/songwriter/musicians.  Her voice has been described (locally, and perhaps with no concern for political correctness) as that of “a big mama from a Southern Baptist choir.”

Born in 1982, Smith won the award for Best Female Vocalist at the National Jazz Festival of New Zealand at the age of 16, and in the same year released her debut album, “Light From a Distant Shore” featuring traditional Celtic Scottish songs. Today’s selection, unsurprisingly entitled “Dream” (three days running with that title), is a lullaby written by Smith herself.

LISTEN TO TODAY’S SELECTION – Wednesday 27 June

Dream

 Sleep, sleep, go to sleep

Go to sleep my baby

Sweet dreams

Beautiful seas

Close your eyes and sleep

Close your eyes and sleep

Stay calm all through the night

Stay calm my baby

Dream your dreams

All’s what it seems

When you’re fast asleep

Close your eyes and sleep

 Far within the world of rest

Lies the land of dreams

All who journey to her shores

Must play out their schemes

And dream

Dream, dream, dream

Dream, dream, dream

Dream

 Go to sleep my little one

Go to sleep my baby

And when rest has embraced your soul

Then you’ll be free to dream

 Dream, dream, dream

Dream, dream, dream

Dream

 Go to sleep and dream

Go to sleep and dream

Go to sleep and dream

Dream, dream, dream…