Or a quotation made from
some native dialect, other than that of the performers. It is usually
conducted in the form of question and answer, and the respective speakers
use the language of the persons they are supposed to represent. The
chorus is, however, still the same repetition of one or two words.
The following specimens, taken from a vocabulary published by Messrs.
Teichelmann, and Schurmann, German Missionaries to the Aborigines, will
give an idea of the nature of the songs of the Adelaide tribe.
KADLITPIKO PALTI.
Pindi mai birkibirki parrato, parrato. (DE CAPO BIS.)
CAPTAIN JACK'S SONG.
The European food, the pease, I wished to eat, I wished to eat.
MULLAWIRRABURKARNA PALTI.
Natta ngai padlo ngaityarniappi; watteyernaurlo tappandi ngaityo parni
tatti. (DA CAPO.)
KING JOHN'S SONG.
Now it (viz. the road or track) has tired me;
throughout Yerna there is here unto me a continuous road.
WILTONGARROLO kundando
Strike (him, viz. the dog) with the tuft of eagle feathers.
Kadlottikurrelo paltando
Strike (him) with the girdle
Mangakurrelo paltando
Strike (him) with the string round the head
Worrikarrolo paltando
Strike (him) with the blood of circumcision
Turtikarrolo paltando
Strike (him) with the blood of the arm. etc. etc.
Kartipaltapaltarlo padlara kundando
Wodliparrele kadlondo
Kanyamirarlo kadlondo
Karkopurrelo kadlondo
"This curse or imprecation is used in hunting a wild dog, which, by the
mysterious effects of those words, is induced to lie down securely to
sleep, when the natives steal upon and easily kill him. The first word in
each line denotes things sacred or secret, which the females and children
are never allowed to see.
* * *
KAWEMUKKA minnurappindo Durtikarro minnurappindo
Tarralye minnurappindo Wimmari minnurappindi
Kirki minurappindo Wattetarpirri minnurappindo
Worrikarro minurappindo
"These sentences are used in hunting opossums, to prevent their escape,
when the natives set fire to hollow trees in which the opossums are
living.
* * *
KARRO karro wimmari Karra yernka makkitia
Karro karro kauwemukka Makkitia mulyeria
Karro karro makkitia
"These words are rapidly repeated to the NGULTAS, while undergoing the
painful operation of tattooing; they are believed to be so powerful as to
soothe the pain, and prevent fatal consequences of that barbarous
operation."
Another specimen may be given from the Vocabulary published by Mr. Meyer,
another of the German Missionaries at Encounter Bay.
"Miny-el-ity yarluke an-ambe what is it road me for Aly-..el-..arr'
yerk-in yangaiak-ar! here are they standing up hill . . . . . . s
What a fine road is this for me winding between the hills!
"The above words compose one of the native songs. It refers to the road
between Encounter Bay and Willunga. All their songs appear to be of the
same description, consisting of a few words which are continually
repeated. This specimen, it will be observed, consists of two regular
verses:
-u| - |u-|u-u
-u| - |u-|u-u
"This may, however, be accidental."
I have not thought it worth while to give any specimens of the songs I
have collected myself, because I could not be quite certain that I should
give the original words with strict accuracy, neither could I be
satisfied about the translations.
