All Us Mob - Bulman School | The Song Room

'All Us Mob’ was written and recorded as part of a music program run by The Song Room at Bulman (Gulin Gulin) School in the Northern Territory. The program is generously supported by the Smith Family Katherine in partnership with Bulman School and Mimal Land Management.

The idea for this song was sparked during the process of recording the last Bulman School song called ‘Malnganarra.’

To write ‘Malnganarra’ we had the help of Elder Vivian Lawrence who was born in Bulman but lives in Maningrida. She generously helped us with translations and pronunciations ‘over the phone’ even sending us a recording of the song in a reggae style.

It was decided that our next song would be based on this recording.
In late May 2024, The Song Room facilitators Steve and Cate headed back out to Bulman to write and record ‘All Us Mob” with the students at Bulman School.

And… This time Vivian flew down from Maningrida to help us!
But first, we spent some time over the phone again talking with Manuel Pamkal who lives in Katherine. He helped us with the initial Dalabon translations for the song and got us off to a great start.

Dalabon is a language that is being lost in Central Arnhem Land and the Bulman Weemol Community are really keen to preserve it. There are not many speakers left, so we are really lucky to have the help of Manuel, Vivian and Vivian’s oldest brother and elder Dudley Lawrence (who helped us with ‘Nidjarra’    • Nidjarra (Home) - Bulman School | The...  )

For this song, Vivian worked tirelessly with the students to help finetune the translations and help them learn how to say the words correctly.

‘All Us Mob’ features the students of Bulman School playing instruments and singing (25 students sang on this one!) and has Vivian on lead vocals with senior student Deslina in the verses.

A special thank you to Dave Williams for playing the drums in this track!

Vocals: Vivian, Deslina, Rosaleah, Jillesha, Cataleyah, Donniqua, Tamisha, Viola, Dennis, Keisha, Lex, Kayleen, Kono, Leanna, Kylah, Jeffrey, Phayden, Relisha, Jumarcus, Lexine, Adriano, Olive, Raylene, Danika, Harri and Katianna

Organ: Naya
Synth: Sharniqua
Djembe: Victor, Nemo, Decoda
Clapsticks: Owen, Astin
Didgeridoo/Bumboo: Abriel

ALL US MOB

VERSE 1:
Yalah boniyan nga-dah kurnh-no (We are going out to country)
Mah-njing dja boniyan? (Do you want to come?)
Bala-ni ngokorrng kanihdra (All our family will be there.)
Nah-nan bulu, mawah-nan (Mothers, fathers, grandparents)
yabok-nan, wulukun, djarburh-nan (sisters, brothers and cousins.)

PRECHORUS:
Ngarra manboniyan (We are all dancing).
Wanjh mawah nah-bulu (Like the old people)
wulukun ngokorrng (were singing)
balay manboniyan (and dancing too.)


CHORUS:
All us mob, singing and dancing
All us mob, together

VERSE 2
Ngarra-boniyan, ngarrah-djangkan (We will go hunting and fishing, catch)
kardinj, kurruk, kunj. (barrumundi, mussels and kangaroo.)
Ngarra-marnbun kerri-no (Then make a bush oven.)
Ngarra-miyan ngokorrng (There will be plenty for everyone.)
Bim-yu ngarra bimburrun (We will get painted up with)
dorrong bo-no walung-Wilton (that white ochre from Wilton River.)


VERSE 3
Kirdikird balah-marnbun djurd-no bungulgun (The women will weave the skirts for the dance.)
Dah-yerburlh beriminj morlu-dorrung (Bring your clapsticks and didgeridoo too.)

Ngong-balah-manbon Yo! (Our mob are dancing… Yo!)

Technical Details:

Recorded and mixed by Steve Lane (www.realtone.com.au)
Filmed and edited by Steve Lane
Mastered by Joseph Carra (www.crystalmastering.com.au)

Drums: David Williams
Bass/Guitars: Steve Lane

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@TheSmithFamily1922 @Realtonemusic

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To learn more about The Song Room and our programs, visit: www.songroom.org.au