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about

By the time of Federation the expansion of the northern areas had failed. All that remained were the ghost towns, the farmhouse ruins and the abandoned railways. In 1911 John Henry Cahill died at the age of 63. His farm was failing as was agriculture in the north of South Australia - the rain didn't follow the plough.
Just as the Celtic expansion of the interior had withered and died, so too had the Aboriginal lifestyle of this area. Udenyaka, known as Death Rock, towers over a permanent waterhole. It was used by the Parnkalla people as the last resting place of the dying.
Udenyaka remains as a metaphor to two peoples’ dreams.
I was born in Parnkalla country.

lyrics

The dream is over a Celtic requiem
no screams of wailing banshees
just whimpered tales to tell.

Tea chests of expectation, a second Celtic home
old cultures in a new land
now dust within our hands.

I watch these grains of sand,
these empty children
all I see is Celtic servants,
Rainbow Serpents on the run.

The dreaming now is over, Yurlu’s on the wing
Akarru’s in his canyon and Yura Bila sing.

White sails on vast horizons
just passing through we thought
new cultures in an old land
we’ve passed our last resort.

I watch these ancient circles, windswept sarsens
all I see is stone engravings, runic totems
all I feel is ochre faces, woad adornings
all I know is five thousand years
of ancient wisdom will not die

Parnkalla language:
Malakunna ninna
ngukanna warrulputu
wailbi kumanni
gadla murru pailba
makkarniti
nurallidni
yerta ngartendi
ngarring elbudninge -
ninna Parnkalitti

English Translation:
From the moment you
went on a journey
to the south
west country alone
the camp fire
embers died
You who inquire
of the land through us -
you are Parnkalla.

Its time to pass the baton
to children hand in hand
our own self preservation
the Kinsmen and the Clans.

credits

from Land of the vast horizon, released February 1, 2006
Music and words written by Gavin O’Loghlen.

Gavin O'Loghlen : Acoustic 6 & 12 string guitars, bass, percussion, keyboards, low D whistles, D whistles, vocals
Angelee Theodoros : Lead vocals, cello
Jack Brennan : D Uilleann pipes

with many thanks to: Aboriginal education unit, Adele Pring, Parnkalla language from the book “Vocabulary of Parnkalla language - 1844” by C.W. Shürmann, Cliff Coulthard for inspiration.

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Gavin O'Loghlen Australia

Cotters Bequest is a seven piece progressive Celtic band playing 28 instruments including Highland, Uilleann, Northumbrian and Scottish smallpipes, Irish whistles, violin, cello and accordion wrapped in layers of acoustic and electric guitars, vintage keyboards and rich vocal harmonies.

In the style of "a Celtic King Crimson..a Pink Floyd with bagpipes.. with a sprinkling of Peter Gabriel." ... more

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