For the sake of a song: Wangga songmen and their repertories

TRACK 4 (Wes61-s25) Song 1: Rak Badjalarr

Sung text	Free Translation
rak badjalarr-maka bangany-nyung(repeated)ii winmedje ngan-dji-nyene	[I am singing] for the sake of a song for my ancestral country, North Peron IslandI am [sitting] eating oysters

This version is sung by Rusty Benmele Moreen, the son of Mun.gi, Lambudju’s adoptive father and teacher, and hence Lambudju’s adoptive elder brother. Benmele, who died at a tragically young age in the early 1980s (see further with regard to the song, ‘Benmele,’ (track 13)), was senior to Lambudju. What we hear in this recording is an accomplished singer at the height of his powers.

While the text, text rhythm and melody are very similar to the version heard in track 1, Benmele’s treatment of rhythmic mode is more complex (see further details in the music analysis section of this chapter). This performance is discussed in more detail in Marett, 2005, pp 189-91.

Song structure summary

VOCAL SECTION 1

Melodic section 1

Text phrases 1-5

Rhythmic mode 1 (without sticks)

rak	badjalarr	-maka	bangany	-nyung
father’s country	place name	CAUS	song	DAT

[I am singing] for the sake of a song for my ancestral country, North Peron Island

[beating in rhythmic mode 5b (fast doubled) begins between melodic sections 1 and 2]