Safe Way

With love and respect to the Saltwater Women on the East Coast Whale Songline for all times.  

Aunty wave them safe way in 

Nuenonne, Paredareme, Pyemmairrener waters, 

cold currents melding warm as the 

whales move north, 

leaving rainbow kelp shells behind–

sparkling glimmers to remind them

the way back home.

Granny sing them safe way in

Bunurong, Bidwell

and Gunai seas, 

bless their passage–

old as time 

Always Was

and Always Will be,

Ninny, promise you'll message me

in coastal wattle and gymea lilly,

so we’ll know, 

we’ll know 

when it’s time to dance.

Mum cheer them safe way,

gather Aunties on Yuin lands, 

spread the stories 

as our Elders journey

in oceans deep, 

gather ochre,

light the fire,

paint your daughters,

and their daughters, 

paint them proppa way

so they know 

how this ceremony goes.

Sissy’s dance them safe way, 

meet me under sacred mountain,

move with them as they splash on

Dharawal and Bidjigal,

Honour Ancestors 

as they migrate,

reinstate songline 

with your steps, 

dance with reverence–

remember now

so the future won’t forget.

Cousins love them safe way on

Gadigal, Cammeraygal, Garigal and Gayemagal

on Dakinjung, Awabakal and Worimi– 

Granny Biripi, 

sing them safe way,

with all our fam in spirit form 

bring them safe way

so humpbacks can birth

in sacred waters warm.

All the daughters on Dunghutti, Bungjalung 

and Gumbainggir, 

Bubs on Yuggera, and Gubbi Gubbi 

forever hold them dear, 

guide them safe way 

to their babies

as they nest in Badjala. 

All these waters 

are their waters 

and their waterways 

are ours, 

and when they make their way back south, 

Granny, Nanny, Ninny, 

Sissy, Cousin, Aunty, Mum,

Daughter, and our Bubbies 

all the fam in spirit form

wave them, sing them, bless them, cheer them, dance them, 

guide them on. 

All the Women, 

love them safe ways, 

love the waters 

we’re all from. 

All the Women, 

love them safe ways,

love them all the way back home.