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Heroes & Laments: Walmatjarri Stories

by Olive Knight

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1.
Tell you a story ain’t gonna tell you no lie, Road I’ve travelled many, many a mile. Strivin’ and a strugglin’, screamin’ and a cryin’, I’m packin’ my bags I’m leavin’ this ol’ town today. No use to go runnin’ or screamin’ or cryin’, You’ve got your challenges an’ I’ve got mine. Reached that crossroad in a land far and wide, The road I’ve travelled with my Lord by my side. Strivin’ and strugglin’, screamin’ and cryin’, I’m packin’ my bags, I’m leavin’ this ol’ town today. No use to go runnin’, or screamin’ or cryin’, You’ve got your challenges, an’ I’ve got mine.
2.
Dream River 04:17
He drew a picture of a river, runnin’ wide and deep, Those who should ever, swim it and be free. He’s a quiet achiever, helpin’ people see, That a day will deliver, hope and security. Founder of a cause, for which you always dreamed, Never one for applause, or high esteem. You were steady, while others rushed along, Humble visionary, with goals so strong.
3.
Train Train 04:29
Train, train comin’ down the railroad track, Takin’ my momma, away from me. Hear the south wind blowin’, it’s whisperin’ my shame, Without momma, will never be the same. Train, train comin down the railroad track, It’s takin’ my momma, away from me.
4.
Pain O Pain 03:24
Pain, o pain, stay away from me, Cryin for the loss, of my destiny. Reduced to a life, in the community. No more to roam, wild and free. Hear the south wind blow, tellin’ my sad tale, Moanin in my ear, walypa, a mournful wail. Hear the South wind blow, tellin’ my sad tale, Moanin in my ear, walypa, a mournful wail. (Backing vox “walypa” - Walmatjarri for wind)
5.
Baby, don’t cry for momma, don’t cry for me, They are coming with their money & their greed. Gonna drill holes in me baby, gonna suck the life outta me, Crushin and a-grindin’ and poisinin’. Fixin’ what’s left offa me baby, fixin’ Your children’s children, will be their heritage.
6.
Siddaan heya jinkini baad blaa kantri. (Sitting here, thinking about country) Sumting puddu waid laa mi. (Something is weighing me down) Grog an gunyja an noogud one mangarri puddu waid laa mi. (Alcohol and gunja, and bad food are weighing me down) Mind naad jingini baad gud wai an clia. (My mind is not thinking clear) Ayi garra girrup an goobaik laa kantri. (I will get up and go back to country) Naad garra lirrim baad grog an gunyja an noogud one mangarri purru waid laa mi. (Will not let alcohol and gunja, bad food weigh me down)
7.
Three children standing with sad, sad hearts, Tears in their eyes very soon to part. Removed for their protection, so the system says, So-called wisdom, better they don’t stay. Part of a number, in a cold, cold house, Away from their country, in a strange, strange town. Many months goes by, until their return, Back to their family, whose hearts still yearned.
8.
Purrku, purrku parnany parnanywarnti. (Old men and old women) Kirrarnana parlipa, kirrarnana. (We are sitting down, sitting down) ngalipakurarla ngurranga parlipa Kirrarnana. (We are sitting down in our land) Purrku, purrku, parnany parnaywarnti. (Old men and old women) Kitpungana parlipa, Kitpungana. (We are walking around, walking around) Ngalipakurarla Nguranga parlipa kitpungana. (We are walking around in this land) Purrku purrku, parnany parnanywarnti. (Old men and old women) Ngampurri kanana, ngampurrikanana. (Looking after, looking after) Ngalimpakura ngurra parlipa ngampurrikanana. (We are looking after our land)
9.
Yanany parlipa, kuyiwi, jaa miyiwu yanany parlipa. (We are going for meat and food, we are going) Yanany parlipa, yanany parlipa. (We are going, we are going) Marnin jaa piyirn jaa yapa, yanany parlipa. (Women and men and children, we are going) Yanany parlipa jarrampayiwu, karntiwu yanany parlipa. (We are going for goanna, and for yams, we are going) Yanany parlipa, yanany parlipa. (We are going, we are going) Marnin jaa piyirn jaa yapa, yanany parlipa. (Women and men and children, we are going)
10.
Minyarti parlurla yanana numburrkkarlanu. (Here they come to bore holes) Goodbye, manyjarla country-wu, goodbye manyjarla country-wu, goodbye. (Say goodbye to your country, say goodbye to your country, goodbye) Goodbye manyjarla country-wu, goodbye manyarla. (Say goodbye to your country, say goodbye) Wali ngarlipangulurla kulmanku. (Will they now snatch it away from us)

credits

released April 1, 2015

Recorded, mixed and mastered by James Newhouse at Real2Reel Studios, February 2015
Produced by Rob Findlay, Richard Watson and James Newhouse
Album artwork by George Cooke
Cover painting by Kankawa Nagarra

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Olive Knight Saint George Ranges, Australia

Olive, from the small and remote community of
Wangkatjungka. A Walmatjarri woman born in the desert, Olive Knight’s traditional name is Kunkuwa. She remembers nullanullas thumping the bare earth, clap sticks and boomerangs, and the rhythmic songs of her forefathers. Now working on her second album, Olive has a vision to see her people heal and believes music is an integral part of this process. ... more

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