Burri burri tulgul
By Kiama
~ poem written in Gumea Dharawal / Dharawal
Burri burri tulgul
carry our gali
our yabun
our songlines
burri burri yaga ngia
burri burri ngara ngia
burri burri ngaa ngia
burri burri gali like a moth to a gambi
spread your knowledge like gundu spreads its djimbaga
keep our songlines strong like the yunga claws
look out for us like minga looks out for boori
yadingji burri burri
ngia yadingji bugiah
ngia yadingji naway
ngia yandingji buradja
ngia ngambumaya yindi
~ English translation
whale spirit
carry our dance
our music
our songlines
whale speak to me
whale listen to me
whale see me
whale dance like a moth to a flame
spread your knowledge like the tree spreads its roots
keep our songline strong like the lobsters claws
look out for us like a mother for her baby
thank you whale
I thank you yesterday
I thank you today
I thank you tomorrow
I love you.