KARRKKANJ - BULMAN SCHOOL & COMMUNITY | The Song Room

We're incredibly proud to share the story behind this song!

On a previous music program in Bulman, our teaching artist Steve found a couple of hours with Dalabon Elder Vivienne Lawrence to begin a song based on a traditional story. Vivienne thought the song should be a reggae tune, and together they mapped out the chords, chants, and melodies.

We'd also like to thank linguist Nicholas Evans, who generously edited the Dalabon lyrics and provided recordings of the correct pronunciation.

Fast forward to our most recent visit, and the recording commenced at the school! The students learned the Dalabon words and recorded their voices, alongside djembes, percussion, bumboo (didgeridoo), and keyboard parts.

Special thanks to high school student Duncan, who learned and beautifully sang all the verse parts, as well as our two excellent actors, Chadmus and Rowena.

This project is a powerful example of how music can help preserve and celebrate Indigenous languages and stories.

The music program at Bulman School is generously supported by The Smith Family Katherine, a Facilitating Partner for Communities for Children funded by the Australian Government's Department of Social Services, and the Bulman School.

Lead Vocals: Chadmus, Leanna
Backing Vocals: Duncan, Relisha, Kylah, Leanna, Tassiana, Kayleen, Jeffrey, Samuel, Tyler, Leo, Jamarcus, Cherie, Alex.
Djembe: Victor (Decoda, Spencer, Robert, Kaynan, Danika, Mary, Keyshaun, Lexine, dennis, George, Owen and Tyrone learnt and starred in video)
Piano: Jenaya, Neneh (Kono, Jillesha, Ivy Mae, Relisha, Annie, Tassiana, Kylah, Cathy, Rowena, Sharniqua, Sherona learnt and starred in the video)
Acoustic Guitar: Nathaniel
Bass: Nathaniel
Drums: David Williams
Guitars: Steve

KARRKKANJ – DALABON

Beyngan djah-loydinj
Djah-worhbon kahnun rud-no rawoyh-no
Kah-balay djawina mah wadda-ngu
Ngah-nan karkkanj kah-walhwalh
Djah-run, djah-run, djah-run, wadda-no-ngu-kun

Bobo ngah-dudjmu wadda-ngan-kah

Kohbakohbanj bulah-marnu-yoyolmu
Wadda-no, djarng-no mah karru-no
Wurdurd-njeing balah-larnimhu, modjdjanj-no
Nidjarra kah-burrama. Wurdngan, djah-dudjmu!

Bobo, ngah-dudjmu wadda ngan-kah
Ngah-nan karrkkanj kah-waywayka

Beyngan, djah-loydinj
Djah-worhbon kahnun rud-no rawoyh-no
Djah-yolweh djah-loydi wadda-no-ngu
Ngah-nan karkkanj kah-walhwalh
Djah-run, djah-run djah-run, wadda-no-ngu-kun

THE FIREHAWK

Son, you’ve been away
Walking down that road again
You’re missing your family and homelands
I can see the Firehawk flying
You cry, cry cry for your home

Goodbye, I’m going back home

Old People, they’re telling stories
Country, dreaming and songlines
Teaching our kids the old ways
It’s really good here, you come back boy!

Goodbye, I’m going back home
I can see the Firehawk flying high

Son, you’ve been away
Walking down that road again
You feel unhappy, you’re away from home
I can see the Firehawk flying
You cry, cry, cry for your home

TECHNICAL SPECS
Audio/Video production: Realtone (Steve Lane and Neneh Lane U’Ren)
Mastering: Joe Carra @Crystal mastering