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LYRICS

Na-kalamandjarda

​Rona Lawrence, Jodie Kell and Harriet Fraser-Barbour
Languages: Na-kara and English

Na-kalamandjarda is a place east of Maningrida which is part of the Na-kara people’s homelands. In English it is known as Navy Landing. It is on the coast, near the mouth of Na-meyarra Creek.

Songwriter Rona Lawrence is a traditional custodian for this country.

  • Verse 1
    I stand by the cliff
    And I see the birds flying
    Across the ocean
    Na-kalamandjarda yeah yeah yeah
    When I sit down under the shade
    Thinking about my homeland
    Na-kara people
    Na-kalamandjarda yeah yeah yeah

    Chorus
    My country is my life Oh oh oh
    My country is my heart oh oh oh
    My country is my future and my past
    Na-kalamandjarda yeah yeah yeah

    Verse 2
    When I stand in the water
    With my hands in the sand
    Na-wangara
    Na-kalamandjarda yeah yeah yeah
    When I see the sun
    Glowing on the water
    Yellow and gold
    Na-kalamandjarda yeah yeah yeah

    Chorus
    My country is my life Oh oh oh
    My country is my heart oh oh oh
    My country is my future and my past
    Na-kalamandjarda yeah yeah yeah

    Solo

    Chorus

    *Na-wangara means cockle shellfish (Diyama)

Waláya

Rachel Thomas and Jacob James
Language: Ndjébbana

Waláya means cliff, and it refers to a place in Maningrida on a beautiful ochre cliff looking over the mouth of the Liverpool River. It is an area where traditional custodians and their djungay (cultural managers) live.

  • Nga-lawáya nga-kóna
    Warábba nga-nóra
    Ngana Waláya
    I went down to the beach,
    Sat down on my own
    At the cliffs

    Nga-nana kurrula
    Kabbala ka-wolo-bena
    Nga-nana Kabalko ka-renjdjeya
    I saw the saltwater
    And a boat heading to Kabalko Island (An island visible from Maningrida)
    I was looking over to Kabalko Island

    Nga-nana kabbala
    Ka-bena ngana Ndjúdda
    I watched as the boat
    Headed across to Ndjúdda Point (The easterly point of the mouth of the Liverpool River)

    Nga-nana warrawarra
    Ya-rlabína ya-wolo-bena
    Nga-lawáya nga-kona
    I saw the sun going down
    It was going down
    As I watched

    Nga-nana bolkárda
    Ka-mangkíba ka-rénjdjeya
    Maloya ka-wolo-bena
    I saw the deep blue ocean on the horizon
    Lightning strikes
    As the dark storm clouds rolled in

Banatjarl

Tara Rostron, Jodie Kell, Rachel Thomas, Patricia Gibson and Rona Lawrence
Languages: English and mixed

Banatjarl is a Healing Place on Jawoyn country managed by the Banatjarl Strongbala Wumins Grup. Ripple Effect Band was invited to attend their forum in 2021. The verses sing the word for ‘women’ in the languages of the different groups in attendance.

  • Verse 1
    All the ngalmuka and the binjipa
    All the gama, barra-ngarripa
    All the ngarrama, daluk, miyalk
    Bink and girriji
    Yimre Yimre stand strong (Come here! Come here! – Kune language)
    Yimre Yimre stand strong

    Chorus
    We are Country, we are sisters
    Come together, telling stories
    Ooh all the women
    We are healthy, we are strong at Banatjarl

    Verse 2
    Karnta karnta and the minyma
    Kungka palngun arr-kucha
    All the arrele, karrikat ngila
    Strongbala wimun
    Kuwa kuwa stand strong ((Come here! Come here! – Burarra language)
    Kuwa kuwa stand strong

    Chorus
    We are Country, we are sisters
    Come together, telling stories
    Ooh all the women
    We are healthy, we are strong at Banatjarl
    Rise up rise up yeah
    Rise up rise up yeah

    Languages in This Song
    Ngalmuka: Jawoyn
    Gama: Burarra
    Daluk: Bininj Kunwok
    Miyalk: Yolngu
    Ngarráma: Ndjébbana
    Barra-ngarripa: Na-kara
    Kungka: Luritja/Pintupi
    Karnta Karnta: Warlpiri
    Minyma: Pitjantjatjara
    Ngila: Yanyuwa
    Girriji: Waramungu
    Arelhe: Arrernte
    Palngun: Murrinh Patha
    Karrikat: Rembarrnga
    Strongbala wimun: Kriol

Loving and Caring

Tara Rostron and Jodie Kell
Languages: Kune and English

  • Intro
    Daluk Bininj karri-djarkdi
    Women and men / lovers let’s talk.

    Verse 1
    Njale yi-njilng warreminj kangurdul-me. [When you’re angry at me show me how you feel, tell me what you mean]
    Why are you feeling so upset? I can hear the thunder rolling.
    Kan-marnime baa nga-bengkan
    Tell me, so I know.
    Njale man-karre yi-karrme kure ku-kange
    What reason do you have in your heart? (What are you holding in your heart?)
    Marrek muyh yi-karrme
    Don’t hold it inside for too long,
    Munguyh yi-karrme na-warre [Don’t hold back]
    If you hold it inside for too long, it’s no good.

    Chorus
    Daluk Bininj, our love is true.
    [Women and men]
    Our love, makes us strong.
    Ngayih marne-djare nguddah
    I want you.
    Yimri konda nuk
    Come here now.
    Ngarri-djarrkni, ngarri-djarrkni
    We’ll sit down together.

    Spoken word
    Yimri Konda yi-yol-yolme ban ga-bengkan nuk
    Come here and talk about this, so I know what you are worried about

    Verse 2
    Yekke man-wurrk karri-wurlhke kundulk karrowen
    In the dry season we burn bushfires, and the trees are dying.
    Ngarri-durren ngarri-burren nganalk-bun
    We argue, we fight, and I cry.
    Kudjewk kangurdulme mandjewk kamankan
    In the wet season the thunder rolls and it starts pouring down rain.
    [Don’t worry if we argue sometimes, ‘cause the rain will come and our love will grow]
    Kundulk ka-djordmen ngarri marne-djaremerren
    And just like the trees re-grow, we start loving each other again.

    Chorus
    Daluk Bininj, our love is true.
    Our love, makes us strong
    Ngayih marne djare nguddah
    Yimri Konda nuk [We’ll sit down together]
    Ngarri-djarrkni, ngarri-djarrkni

    Spoken word
    Nguddah yibeng-kan nabu ngayih marinmeng
    You should know what I told you.
    Korroko marnimeng ngayih marne-djare nguddah bulkkidj duninjh
    I already told you that I love you so much.
    Ngadjare ngarrini kamakrok
    I want to sit down with you all good
    Kunkirn kunrit ngaleh njale ngarribawon
    Problems like jealousy, leave it all behind
    Kayo nokkonj nawarre balehbe ngarrire
    Leave it, it’s no good.
    Baleh balehbo ngarrire ngarri-nah narren ngarrire
    Wherever we go, we look after each other.

    Chorus
    Daluk Bininj, our love is true.
    [Women and men/lovers]
    Our love makes us strong.
    Ngayih marne-djare nguddah
    I want you.
    Yimri konda nuk [We’ll sit down together]
    Come here now.
    Ngarri-djarrkni [Karri-njilng rayek-men]
    We’ll sit down together [Let’s be strong]
    Ngarri-djarrkni
    We’ll sit down together.

    Outro
    Hey, hey all you lovers out there, I got a story to share with you.
    Listen up, why don’t you listen to each other cause we’re in this together.
    When my man is caring for me, make me crazy for his love
    Crazy for his love.

    My love, what’s on your mind?
    I can hear the thunder rolling
    Tell me, so I know,
    We can walk together in our love.

People from Maningrida

Composer: Unknown
Languages: English and Kune

  • I saw the people [I saw the people]
    They were looking at They were looking at me]
    Some people looking at me

    I saw the people [I saw the people]
    They were looking at [They were looking at me]
    Some people looking at me

    People, people from Maningrida
    People, people from Maningrida

    Nabenang Bininj [Nabenang Bininj] (I saw the people)
    Ngarndikuknanang [Ngarndikuknanang] (They were looking at me)
    Nabenang Bininj Ngarndikuknanang (I saw the people looking at me)
    Bininj, Bininj birrikang Manawukan
    Bininj, Bininj birrikang Manawukan

    I saw the people [I saw the people]
    They were looking at [They were looking at me]
    Some people looking at me

    I saw the people [I saw the people]
    They were looking at [They were looking at me]
    Some people looking at me

    People, people from Maningrida
    People, people from Maningrida

Wamud​

​Tara Rostron and Jodie Kell
Languages: Kune and English 

Bininj (Indigenous) society in Arnhem Land is organised into eight subsections, or 'skin' groups. These are used to address people and to refer to people. They affect marriage choice, social responsibilities and determine 'moiety'. Wamud refers to a male subsection of Duwa patrimoiety. In this case Wamud refers to songwriter Tara’s young cousin, though it could also be understood as referring to any boy or man in the Wamud kinship group.

  • Verse 1
    He woke up with the rising sun
    Grabbed his spear and the day begun
    Walking to the south to his country, Dhumakerre, where he grew up
    Walking along the Cadell River
    He saw too many fish in the water
    “Bolkki nga-bun djenj naweng (Today I will catch some fish)
    Ngadurndeng kured ngakinje ngangung” (and take them home to cook for dinner.)

    Bokorn, bikkurr, yad bom nawen
    Bokorn, bikkurr, yad bom nawen
    (He caught spangled grunter fish, eel tailed catfish, freshwater prawn)

    Chorus
    Wamud, wamud namayhmak
    Wamud, wamud namayhmak
    (Wamud, Wamud, the mighty hunter)

    Verse 2
    When he was only 4 years old
    He sat down next to his father
    Asked him to make him a spear
    “Ngadjare ngabun yad nawen. (I want to catch myself some of those freshwater prawns)
    I want to be just like my father
    He names the country, plants and animals
    Nabengkan ngabba kunwok nuyeh (My father knows all the names for the plants and animals)
    Namarneyime ngayi ngabengkan” (He can tell me, so I know)

    Namarnkol, burarr, molerl bom nawen
    Namarnkol, burarr, molerl bom nawen
    (He caught Barramundi, water goanna, blue tongue lizard)

    Chorus
    Wamud, wamud namayhmak
    Wamud, wamud namayhmak
    (Wamud, Wamud, the mighty hunter)

    Namarnkol, namarnkol [Barramundi, barramundi)
    Kakurlahbarme kare (She moves with glistening skin, brilliant in colour)
    Kakuknjonnarren kare (She looks at herself, showing off)
    Kaborledme, kaborledme (Turning around as she swims)
    Kaborledme, kaborledme (Turning around as she swims)
    Ka. Yalmo

    Verse 3
    He walks ‘till he comes to his special place
    Stands on the rock at Dukurrlajarrang (a Kune traditional site southeast of Maningrida)
    He calls out to his ancestors
    Kun-waral mawah kanwol djenj (Hey grandfather, let me catch some fish) *
    When the sun goes down, he goes back to the camp.
    Carries all the fish that he delivers
    Bin-won namud nuye njonj (He gave his family all that he had caught)
    Birri-djurrkme birri-kineng birri-ngune (They cooked and ate it straight away)

    Komrdawh, ngalng, bekka bom na-wen
    Komrdawh, ngalng, bekka bom na-wen
    (He caught northern snake neck turtle, yabby, file snake)

    Chorus
    Wamud, wamud namayhmak
    Wamud, wamud namayhmak
    (Wamud, Wamud, the mighty hunter)

    It is an important part of Kune cultural protocol to call out to the spirits of ancestors to let them know you are in their country and ask that they will provide for you.

Cyclone Song

Rachel Thomas, Monica Wilton and Jodie Kell
Language: Ndjébbana

Cyclone Monica was a Severe Category 5 cyclone that crossed the coast west of Maningrida in 2006.

  • Verse 1
    Nja-kamárrang wíba ya-wolo-béna
    (Cyclone Monica, she came across the Country)
    Wárrwarra ya-wolo-míba njanda-mérbaya
    (She came from the East where the sun rises, coming straight for us)
    Wíba wédda ka-mánga ya-wolo-bena
    (A long time ago, she came this way)
    Berraja, Nakalamandjarda, Nardilmuk, Ndjúdda, ya-labina Ngarraku
    (Descending upon Berraja, Nakalamandjarda, Nardilmuk, Ndjúdda and Ngarraku)

    Chorus
    Ya-rlawíyina dila-ngaya ya-karráwarra
    (She stopped and turned her gaze)
    Wíba ka-nana Mábarnad*
    (Onto the Land of the Mábarnad)
    Wíba ka-nana Mábarnad
    (She saw the Land of the Mábarnad)

    Verse 2
    Barra-kábburbliba barra-yawarlbibba barra-wareyemanga
    (All of the old people and the young people were scared)
    Barra-lakalaya kulkul ka-bbona ya-wolo-bena
    (They could hear the wind coming)
    Ka-bbona kána-ngardorrdjanga kurla djadjórla
    (Destroying trees and houses)
    Ya-labina Nakalaranba, Mirrekala, Anamukuna, Malabunuwa, Karrabbu
    (She descended upon Nakalaranba, Mirrekala, Anamukuna, Malabunuwa and Karrabbu)

    Chorus
    Ya-rlawíyina dila-ngaya ya-karráwarra
    (She stopped and turned her gaze)
    Wíba ka-nana Mábarnad*
    (Onto the Land of the Mábarnad)
    Wíba ka-nana Mábarnad
    (She saw the Land of the Mábarnad)

    Guitar solo

    Barra-lakarra barra-njínjdjana barra-kana
    (The Djómi Spirit children were crying)
    Wíba barra-lawáyana barra-kana
    (Crying for their Country)

    Chorus
    Ya-rlawíyina dila-ngaya ya-karráwarra
    (She stopped and turned her gaze)
    Wíba ka-nana Mábarnad*
    (Onto the Land of the Mábarnad)
    Wíba ka-nana Mábarnad
    (She saw the Land of the Mábarnad)
    Wíba ka-nana Mábarnad
    (She saw the Land of the Mábarnad)

    *Nja-kamárrang is a ‘skin name’, a kinship name for the female subsection of Yirridjanga patrimoiety. Skin names are inherited at birth, and form part of a complex kinship system that spans across Arnhem Land and is connected across Australia. Skin names, as well as signifying your relationships to everybody in the community, can also be used as personal names.

    In this case *Nja-kamárrang is referring to Cyclone Monica but is also connected to one of the song writers whose name is Monica Wilton. When composing the song, the group decided that the cyclone would be the same skin name as Monica, as it shares the same Balanda name. They also refer to the cyclone as ‘she/her’ which also fits with the skin name in the song.

    **Mábarnad is the name of a group of three Yírriddjanga coastal clans, Dukúrrdji, Manbábarn and Nabbánda, which share the Djawánjdji dreaming and own the land where Maningrida is situated.

Na-meyarra

Jolene Lawrence, Rona Lawrence, Jodie Kell
Language: Na-kara

Na-meyarra is a creek running out to the ocean east of Maningrida which is part of the Na-kara people’s homelands. Songwriter Jolene Lawrence is a traditional custodian for this Country.

  • Verse 1
    Kara n-kukka-n-djirla walanga
    Like the saltwater comes in
    Mirndamiya rdi-yengka
    And the tide takes it out
    Ngardi-yenga kana mayawa
    I walked along the beach
    Nga-nana na-bena ki-djina
    And I saw the sun going down

    Chorus
    Kana mayawa noranga na-kayerda Na-meyarra
    At the beach, I call my home, Na-meyarra
    Kana mayawa no-ranga Na-kayerda Na-meyarra
    At the beach, I call my home, Na-meyarra

    Verse 2
    Ngarrabba nga-rdi-yenga mayawa
    You and I, we went there together
    Nga-nana kukka-n-barla
    We saw the freshwater
    Wuna-kardawa djina
    And in that special waterhole
    Nga-nana na-djola kin-diddjarama
    We saw that bird, the whistle duck

    Chorus
    Kana mayawa noranga na-kayerda Na-meyarra
    At the beach, I call my home, Na-meyarra
    Kana mayawa no-ranga Na-kayerda Na-meyarra
    At the beach, I call my home, Na-meyarra

Makéddja

Rachel Thomas and Jacob James
Language: Ndjébbana

  • Verse
    Marlandjárri Wúrnal Karddúrra
    Wíba barra-kóna ngána Kabálko
    Marlandjarri Wulna Kardduna, whose Country surrounds Kabalko Island

    Kamarrang ka-ngádjina yinjírra
    “Ngába-yarra, makéddja ngaba-karráwa”
    Kamarrang, he said to us,“Let’s go look around for turtle”

    Njarra-karráwa, kóma njan-ddjéna
    Koma njan-djéna, makkéddja kóma
    We went hunting but we had no luck, we couldn’t find any turtle.

    Kamarrang ka-bbóna makéddja
    Njarra-wálanga, njarra-ddjórrbana njarruka-na
    Then Kamarrang, he speared a turtle, so we went ashore and cooked it straight away.

    Njarruka-na ngana Nardilmuk
    Nganéyabba Kanduwúlka wíba
    We were sitting at Nardilmuk, the beautiful Country of Kanduwúlka clan.

    Njarruka-na, njarra-nana wárrwarra
    Ya-béna, ya-rlabína ya-béna
    We sat and watched the sun sinking down.

    Chorus
    Nganéyabba wíba Kabálko
    Right there, that Country Kabalko
    Nganéyabba wíba Ngarraku
    Right there, that Country Ngarraku
    Nganéyabba wíba Nardilmuk
    Right there, that Country Nardilmuk
    Nganéyabba wíba Ndjúdda
    Right there, that Country Ndjúdda
    Nganéyabba wíba Makórrdja
    Right there, that Country Makórrda

    The song ends with Rachel’s Grandfather Bundubundu singing the Turtle Song from Míddjarn, a traditional song and dance cycle of the Ndjébbana people. This recording was released by Maningrida Arts and Culture (MAC) in 1986.