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y separately published work icon A Song of the Natives of New South Wales single work   lyric/song   "Barrabu _ la barra ma, mangine wuy en _ _ gua _ ua, Harrabu _ la."
Issue Details: First known date: 1793... 1793 A Song of the Natives of New South Wales
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Notes

  • Compiler's note: 'Which was written down from the Singing of Bennelong and Yam-Roweny the two Chiefs, brought to England some years ago from Botany Bay, by Governor Phillip. The subject of the Song, is in praise of their Lovers; and when they Sang, it seem’d indispens-ible to them to have two sticks, one in each hand to beat time with the Tune: one end of the left hand stick rested on the ground, while the other in the right hand was used to beat against it, according to the time of the notes.'

Production Details

  • Performed by Bennelong and Yemmerrawanne in London, England, in 1793. The song was transcribed by Welsh born British Musician, Edward Jones, and included in Musical Curiosities (1811), a collection of music from other lands. The song may have been performed earlier in Sydney, New South Wales, to William Dawes who made a phonetic record of the words.

    Source: Steve Meacham. 'Right Back at Us: Bennelong's Song for 1793 London', The Age (20 September, 2010): News 3.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

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Works about this Work

Mari Nawi Open Margaret Smith , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 6 October no. 486 2010; (p. 22) 'Mari Nawi' is an exhibition at Sydney's Mitchell Library, 20 September - 12 December 2010 which explores the significant role of Aboriginal men and women in Australia's early maritime history.
Right Back at Us: Bennelong's Song for 1793 London Steve Meacham , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 20 September 2010; (p. 3)
Right Back at Us: Bennelong's Song for 1793 London Steve Meacham , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 20 September 2010; (p. 3)
Mari Nawi Open Margaret Smith , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: Koori Mail , 6 October no. 486 2010; (p. 22) 'Mari Nawi' is an exhibition at Sydney's Mitchell Library, 20 September - 12 December 2010 which explores the significant role of Aboriginal men and women in Australia's early maritime history.
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Last amended 18 Oct 2016 13:44:06
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