Etwalkur’ inthurra ungkwanganga (Nearer, My God, to Thee) - The Williams Family

Performed in Western Aranda, this video was created as a part of the Therrka Endangered Languages Project. (Scroll down for lyrics and translations).

---

Visit: www.caamamusic.com.au

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Indigenous Languages and Arts Department of Communications and the Arts, its Arts funding and Advisory body.

---

Lyrics:

Verse 1:
Etwalkur’ inthurra ungkwanganga,
(Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!)
Altjirra nukarrai, yinga namarra!
(E’en though it be a cross That raiseth me,)
Nyingalauwumala, yinga lyilhitjina:
(Still all my song shall be, Nearer, my God, to Thee,)
“Etwalkur’ inthurra Yinga namara!”
(Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!)

Verse 2:
Yinga tjaatha kngarra lhakalanga,
(Though, like the wanderer, The sun gone down,)
Ingwa kngarrala-ntam’ ankw-intamanga:
(Darkness be over me, My rest a stone,)
Altjirra-ramala ’tha nganha ’ritjina:
(Yet in my dreams I’d be Nearer, my God to Thee,)
Etwalkur’ inthurra Yinga namara!
(Nearer, my God, to Thee Nearer to Thee!)

Verse 3:
Tjaiya nuk’ urrkaapai alkir-urna,
(There let the way appear Steps unto heav’n;)
Angel-a ingkairnai nuk’ ilkwaatharra!
(All that Thou send’st to me In mercy giv’n;)
Nuka nguwanga nai, yinganha rraatjilai:
(Angels to beckon me Nearer, my God, to Thee,)
Etwalkur’ inthurra Yinga namara!
(Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!)

---

Copyright © 2018 CAAMA Music. All rights reserved.

---

Musical Director and Song Arrangement: Warren H Williams
Vocals: Genise Williams, Nicholas Williams, Damien Williams
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Keyboard and Bass: Warren H Williams
Western Aranda Translations Advisor: David Roennfeldt

Producer: Elijah Barbour
Recorded & Mixed By: Elijah Barbour
Mastering: Elijah Barbour
Project Management: Johanna Campbell

Hymn 249 ('Nearer my God to Thee') in the "Arrarnta Lyilhintja Lutheran Wurlamparinyaka [Western Arrarnta Lutheran Hymnal]" published in 1997 by Finke River
Mission Board, Lutheran Church of Australia, Alice Springs NT
Tune: ALH 416
Nearer, My God, to Thee, Sarah F. Adams
Western Arrarnta: Tr. sts. 1-3 HAH, Updated translation by TGH Strehlow - circa 1950