Ngurra Ngayukungku Waangkanyi (My Country is Calling Me) - Kintore Kungkas (Walungurru, NT)

Ngurra Ngayukungku Waangkanyi
My Country’s Calling Me.

Red Dust headed back to Walungurru in October 2023 for a few days of recording with the Kintore Kungkas.

The kungka’s had been busy rehearsing and writing and had 3 new songs to choose from to record.

The band has made great progress since the initial week of their formation during a Red Dust Strong Young Women’s program back in July 2021.

The women were keen to write, sing, and learn to play instruments, and put together a kungka band back then.

Now they’ve played gigs and rehearsed regularly and the opportunities are coming.

With drummer Daisy, guitarist Zinata and vocalist Cindy, stuck 6 hours drive away in Alice Springs, the recording was left to Karey, Janaya and Jandelle.

The Kungkas also called on young wati (man) Henry Rowe to play drums. He is Karey’s little cousin and did a great job on drums.

During the recording process, we had some great conversations about production and arrangement. The Kungka’s ended up writing a new chorus and adding a poignant middle 8 to the song. We all had goosebumps when Karey spoke the words ‘I can hear it, I can feel it’.

The song is called Ngurra Ngayukungku Waangkanyi (My Country’s Calling Me) and is about the longing the Kungka’s have for Country when they are far from home.

The Kungkas chose to head out to a special women’s place called Ngutjul to film the video.
They also were filmed driving around Walungurru.

Thanks to the Kintore Kungkas and the Walungurru Community for sharing their Country, culture, stories and songs with us.

Recorded and filmed on Pintubi Country with permission.

Vocals & bass: Karey
Keyboard & backing vocals: Janaya
Backing vocals: Jandelle
Drums: Henry

Strong Young Women’s Coordinator: Jessie
Audio production: Steve (www.realtone.com.au)
Video production: Wheeler
Audio mastering; Joseph Carra (www.crystalmastering.com.au)

Ngurra Ngayukungku Waangkanyi
My Country’s Calling Me.

Verse 1:
Ngurra kutjupaangka nyinarrana watjilarringu
Nyinarrana nyaakupayi tjintu tjarrpanyingku
Watjul, watjilpa wilurra’kutu kaatitjuya ngurra’kutu
Ngurra Walungurrunya

Chorus:
Ngurra ngayakungku waangkanyi
Ngurra ngayakungku waangkanyi


Verse 2:
Pintubi country kutu puli kutjarra’angka
Ngurrurpa
Ngurra Walungurrunya
Ngurra Walungurrunya
Ngurra Walungurrunya

Chorus:
Ngurra ngayakungku waangkanyi
Ngurra ngayakungku waangkanyi

Middle 8:
When I’m alone and far away from home
I feel homesick
My country’s calling me
I can hear it, I can feel it

Chorus:
Ngurra ngayakungku waangkanyi
Ngurra ngayakungku waangkanyi
Ngurra ngayakungku waangkanyi
Ngurra ngayakungku waangkanyi