Commissioned by the Voices of Sydney Choir under the artistic direction of Heather Causley, Marloo is an exciting work inspired by a collaboration with Les Bursill, Dharawal Man. Paul and Les worked closely to develop a programatic work that honours the Dharawal language and history. It’s partner piece, Guruwull is from the same project in 2009/10. Les taught Paul the history of the area by walking the country and exploring significant Indigenous sites which connected natural landscape, stores and culture to Paul’s music. Les inspired much of the lyric and helped inspire many of the patterns that shaped the piece.
The Snake, Witij, in the form of the creator, goes to bad or formless country and makes it strong with the help of his companion Marloo, the dreaming spirit Kangaroo who follows closely.AU$3.00 per copy‘Yullangur Marloo dali ngurang wari wiri ngura. Marloo walanga Yullanger’
Marloo helps make a strong country. ‘Marloo bini-ba bulbuwal ngura’
When we follow a wrong path of deceit and badness we should turn back to the dreaming path and follow the dreaming way. ‘Ngun walanga wiri gunga wilang wiri muruwali walam nanga mai’
Fortunately we have a special performance captured from a mobile phone at a concert in the Sydney Opera House. A wonderful performance conducted by Deb Mulcair.
Thank you Les Bursill for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.