Inspired by the sentiments of Bruce Woodley & Dobe Newton's iconic Australia song, 'I Am Australian', 'Yabu' has translated the song into their Western Desert language - Wongatha.
"Yabu" in Wongatha means "Rock/Gold", the mineral that has brought Aboriginal people and immigrants together in the magical Western Desert homeland of the Wongatha people.
The Yabu Band believes this song, in this form, speaks for all Australians.
I am, you are, we are Australian…
Tjukurrpa ngayu pitjaku
Parnalypa yarralypa
Ngayu tjukurr karyinu
Warungka karnyila
Yapungka ngayu ngaragu
Kabara pitjaku
Ngayu tjukurrpa nyinangu
Parna ngaliku mularrpa
Ngalipa kutju (we are one)
Wala pirni (but we are many)
Parna ngara kutha pitjagu
Tjukurrpa kanyila (we’ll share a dream)
Turlku kutju yin– ka (and sing with one voice)
Ngayulu
Nyurrapa
Parna ngaliku mularrpa
I am, you are, we are Australian…
Written By
Bruce Woodley/Dobe Newton