Two songs by an Australian aboriginal singer

Teoh recently sent me two songs by Australian aboriginal musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. Excellent piece. Calm me down when I am tensed.

1) Wiyathul

Wiarthul - Gurrumul Yunupingu

English Translation.

Two scrub fowl crying out, looking for Guwalilna
the calls like women crying, looking for Murrurrnawu
the cries returning his mind to the jungles at Mutimutina

oh place Guwalilna, Warradika, Yumayna, m…m

Oh the old man cries, from this drink
oh dad Kampa-Djundjuna, home Mayan-naraka bright in his mind
oh my two mums, beloved mums, hold Ruypu Milinditj
oh my two mums, beloved mums, cry for the sacred spring Burarrapu
oh the place Guwalilna, Warradika, Yumayna, m...m

*Djilawurr, the orange footed scrub fowl are family and relatives to the Gumatj Nation

2) Gurrumul History (I was born blind)

Gurrumul - Gurrumul Yunupingu

English Translation

I was born blind, and I don’t know why
God knows why, because he loves me so
as I grew up, my spirit knew
then I learnt to read the world of destruction
united we stand, divided we fall
together we’ll stand, in solidarity

Narranydja dhuwala Batuman (I am ancestor)
Narranydja dhuwala Diarrami (I am ancestor)
Narranydja dhuwala Djenarra
Narranydja dhuwala Gurrumulna (I am ancestor)
m…m

I heard my mama, and my papa
crying their hearts in confusion
how can I walk? Straight and tall
in society please hold my hand
trying to bridge and build Yolnu culture
I’ve been to New York
I’ve been to LA
I’ve been to London
narranydja Gurrumul

United we stand, divided we fall
together we’ll stand in solidarity

Narranydja dhuwala Barrupa
narranydja dhuwala Dhukulul
narranydja dhuwala Maralitja
narranydja dhuwala Nunbununbu

Y…e, wo wanawu Garrapala (of the country Garapala)
Dhamutjpirr, Dhamunura