Nyurruwiyi
Written by: Seraphine Presley-Haines and ‘Music Outback’ - Seini ‘SistaNative’ Taumoepeau & Mal Webb

Seraphina's original version (Walrpiri): http://www.musicoutback.com.au/nyurrwiyi
Mal and Ky singing it in both Anmatyerr and Warlpiri: https://youtu.be/JP7yxTMTefo
Totally Gourdgeous singing it in Warlpiri: https://totallygourdgeous.bandcamp.com/track/nyurruwiyi

[Anmatyerr Language]

Ngkwey nthwerr tyerrty map inang netyart
Mwerr alkert-kweny

Tyerrty lalty Anmanty wemel lhetyart
Mer arrpenh-warn

Twern-lwer Lwerrp-lwer
Therrkenyel Aretharrel nyenterretyart

Arlkert-kweny kwet nthwemal nthwetyart
Lterrk parrk kweny

Tyerrtyan kwet anthwetyart
Mer arrpenh-warna mantyek lweny lhetyart

Twern-lwer Lwerrp-lwer
Therrkenyel Aretharrel nyenterretyart

Ngkwey nthwerr tyerrty map inang netyart
Mwerr alkert-kweny


[Warlpiri Language]

Nyurruwiyi kalalu yapaju nyinaja
Kirlka-nyayirni

Warlalja nyanjaku manu kurdujuku
Purda-nyanjarla

Wantangka, Yulyurrpu-ngka
Wajirrkinyi-rla manu Warijarri-rla

Murru Murru rarralypa manu pirrjirti
Ngurrju mata wangu

Yapa-ju wapajalpalu
Kirri-kari-kirra wurramanji wirlinyi

Wantangka, Yulyurrpu-ngka
Wajirrkinyi-rla manu Warijarri-rla

Nyurruwiyi kalalu yapaju nyinaja
Kirlka-nyayirni


 In English (this is the fairly literal translation by Cindy Presley: Someday I hope to get a more nuanced poetic translation from Seraphina).

Long time ago they people sit (this is how they lived)
Healthy and strong

Our people saw and ceremony
To listen

Summer, winter
Spring and autumn

Sick or lively and strong
Good without tired

People used to walk
Place to place, camping out, hunting


Seraphina wrote this song, in Warlpiri language, to remind the kids at Ti Tree school that "even though Western culture has a lot to offer, Aboriginal culture is really amazing!" Seini and I helped her turn it into a song. A few years later she wrote it in Anmatyerr language too.