Nyurru wiyi : excerpt only

TAGS: ABORIGINAL RULES

Wriiten by Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves
Ned Hargraves appears in the documentary in his role as Football Manager. He is also an accomplished musician whose most famous song is 'Warlpiri Warriors' recently re-recorded by Rising Wind Band.

Director's notes:
"This track was something we worked on for the opening sequence where Francis Kelly was acting as The Bushman. A longer version narrates the story in 'Japu Japu', a short film on the DVD. Ned and I worked on the translations and then Alex recorded Ned singing it to the tune of a traditional Warlpiri song. It's what we in the Northern Territory call 'gammon'. Well maybe... I think I've heard it a thousand times now and can't get it out of my head. (Liam Campbell)".

Translation

The Warlpiri tribe was living in the desert
Warlpiri-patu-palu nyinaja manangkarrarla

when there was a sound that came from the sky
Nyiyalku mayi rdul-pardija kankarlarra ngurungka!

What was this thing? It was like an egg!
Nyiya nyampuju? Kapu ngipiri-mayi nyampuju?

Where did it come from?
Nyarrpara-ngurlu yanurnu nyampuju?

it is a long journey to return this thing
Yungurna pina kanyi nyampuju nyiya-mayi nguru-nyanu-kurra, warlaja-kurra

Where do I take this thing?
Nyarrpara-kurra kurna kanyi nyampuju?

First he had to go to the sacred mountain
Yardayardaku warrirni-janu-yanilpa ngurraku yardayardaku

It is called the ‘MCG’
Yirdi yinyaju ngulaju - ‘MCG’

All the southern tribes would meet there
Yinyangka-lpalu jinta-jarrija

It’s home was here
Nguru nyampurlaku nyanungu

and talked to a man called Eddie
Wangkajarla ‘Eddie-ki’ watiji nyanunguku

and watched their ceremony from a high place
Kankalarra-ngurlulku-lpa nyangu nyampuju Jukurrpa

It is a long journey (to return home from the south)
Nyampu nyalu pina manu kurlirra-wardingki-patulu

It was more than a game
Nyampunya manyu-nyayirni

It was their Dreaming
Nyampuju Jukurrpa yinya-patu-kurlangu

He would teach his countrymen to dance this new ceremony
Warlpiri-patulu yungurlipa purlapa pinyi

Painted up in black and white
Yardirri-rli nyanu maparka manu maru-ngku

For more information about Aboriginal Rules see the website at www.aboriginalrules.com.

To purchase the soundtrack of Aboriginal Rules visit our online shop, where you can also purchase the DVD.  ■■■