Item 02: Kamilaroi, and other Australian Languages, by Rev. William Ridley, 2nd ed. (Sydney, 1875) - Page 162
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[Page 162]
150
BAO-ILLI – SONGS.
IX.
The following bao-illi was new and fashionable on the Namoi, in 1871.
Bukkamulli mullimulli, ... The ghost was skinning him,
dubūrƞēr wīne. ... he doubled him up and let him fall.
They sing these short songs to simple and pleasant melodies. Sometimes they repeat the first line six or eight times, sometimes the last; and as they repeat they let their voices fall to a lower key, and then some of them begin again at a high pitch. They keep exact time, and make the different parts, from the lowest bass up to counter-tenor, combine with perfect harmony. Sometimes the effect of such a chorus, by night, on the banks of the river, was wonderfully impressive. To themselves the music appeared to be most exhilarating.
X.
The following is a Wailwun song of defiance, denouncing the black police, on their first appearance at the Barwan.
Mūrāgo muginga dhi, ... Go on, blind, all of ye,
Gūria baigo, ... Go on for ever, I hope;
Dhini-ligo, Dhini-gandhu ... To Sydney, to Sydney,
Mini gūrāgo. ... For ever, Good bye.
XI.
This is a hunting song, in the language of George's River, shouting after the wallaby, bandicoot, kangaroos, and pigeons.
Wolba, wolba, minyā, mundē.
Aƞawē, yukolē, bīroƞ,
Mulē, mullē, wirē,
Wuƞgōr wuƞgōr!
Kolle miroƞ
Ato mullē!
XII.
A song sung at corrobarees at the junction of the Hunter and the Isis, and describing the knocking down of some one upon the ground, and a word of sorrow for an afflicted wife.
Murrabadai būnmildē,
Ƞa dinga dingai,
Daon dimi woldina
Gūlir bain de ƞē.