Noongar Lullabies Belmont at the Imaginarium 2023

Lullabies is a language revival and healing program that guides First Nations families through the process of writing and recording original songs in Noongar.

Welka Marwit Cheeky Baby
Written by the CAN Noongar Lullabies Team

CHORUS
Nookert ngoorndiny
Rest

Nookert ngoorndiny
Rest

Nini marwit
Small baby

VERSE 1
Bidibaba, nini marwit
Sleepy, small baby

Mika yirabiny
Moon is rising

Koondarm-ak noonook
Dream-for you

Ngaangk nookertabiny
Sun rest-becoming

VERSE 2
Yoowart-waanganiny
No-talking

Kedalak-ngat
Night-in

Koomba koondarminy
Much dreaming

Boorda moorditjabiny
Soon strong-becoming

VERSE 3
Ni ngany waanganiny
Listen I'm talking

Ni yeyi
Listen now

Nganap waabiny
Stop playing

Noonook welkabiny
You cheeky-becoming

---

Ni ni Nigh(t) nigh(t)
Written by Michelle Jennick-Quartermaine

VERSE 1
Ni ni, Yoowart Waal
Nigh nigh, please don't cry

Ngank djinanginy yirak
Mummy's watching above

Mumbart nidja
And daddy's nearby

Ni ni, Yoowart Waal
Nigh nigh, please don't cry

Nookert ngoorndiny, Karo Kedala
Another sleep, Another day

Ngank yirak, Mumbart nidja
Mummy's above, daddy's nearby

VERSE 2
Ni ni, Yoowart Waal
Nigh nigh, please don't cry

Baal birlawiny kwobidak
She's shining beautifully

Djinda-mokiny, worl-ak
Like a star, in the sky

Ni ni, Yoowart Waal
Nigh nigh, please don't cry

Nookert ngoorndiny, Karo Kedala
Another sleep, Another day

Ngank yirak, Mumbart nidja
Mummy's above, daddy's nearby

VERSE 3
Ni ni (Repeat above lines 4 times)
Nigh nigh

---

For Our Elders
Composed by Geri Hayden with assistance from the CAN Noongar Lullabies Team

VERSE 1
We were safe and we were loved
'Cos Nanna paved the way
Grandmothers are there for the children
A cushion for our Grannies to lay

VERSE 2
Sometimes emotions are hard to show
I'll make a doll and I'll let it go
Sun comes out and breaks through the clouds
See the spirit in the smoke

CHORUS
Come on Nanna you gotta get up
Please don't be sad anymore
I still need you, you know
And you know, I'm only four

BRIDGE
Nanna, everyone has a story
Please stop and listen now

VERSE 3
We all have some weaknesses
We all have our strengths
See it within you, It's the same strength
Nanna gives to you

CHORUS
Come on Nanna you gotta get up
Please don't be sad anymore
I still need you, you know
And you know, I'm only four

Meet the incredible team behind CAN's Noongar Lullabies Belmont Program, Della Rae Morrison, Kobi Morrison, Geri Hayden, Irma Woods, Lidia Castro and Elly Jones

Thank you to everyone who made this project possible - the dedicated participants, the incredibly talented artists and our local supporters.

Language Facilitators
Della Rae Morrison and Kobi Morrison

Composer and Musician
Della Rae Morrison and Kobi Morrison

CAN Program Coordinators
Irma Woods and Lidia Castro

Artwork
Jarnda Councillor-Barns

Written Noongar Language References

• Noongar Language Dictionary, complied by Sharon Gregory. July 2023.
• Whitehurst, R (1997) Noongar Dictionary, Noongar Language and Cultural Centre, East Perth.
• Bindon, P and Chadwick, R (eds) (2012) A Nyoongar wordlist: from the south-west of Western Australia, Western Australian Museum, Perth.
• Gregory S (ed) (2020) Noongar Language Dictionary, Koort Kadak Consultancy, Fremantle.
• Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management (2018) Ballardong Noongar Waangkany: Ballardong Noongar Dictionary, Wheatbelt NRM, Northam.

Local Supporters
City of Belmont, Moort Waabiny, St Maria Goretti's Catholic School, Australian Government Indigenous Languages and Arts, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.