My inspiration for ‘Farewell ‘ was a traditional Torres Strait Island song that I fell in love with called ‘Bubu Waima’. It is in the Kala Lagaw Ya language of the people of the Eastern Torres Straits.  My understanding of the song is that it is a contemplation on the ebb and flow of the sea as it comes to shore. ‘Bubu’ referring to the wake of water, the froth of the flow onto the shore, as explained to me by Helen Anu.  I like to include ‘Bubu Waima’ in the performance of my song ‘Farewell’, that has it’s own original melody, to respect and honour the beauty of the song that inspired me. This song is as yet, unrecorded.

I’m gunna lay my weary head by the water
And dream so sweetly of you
Im gunna lay my weary, tired old head by the water
And dream so sweetly of you

Im gunna rest my tired feet by the water
And bathe in the light of the moon
Im gunna rest my weary, tired old feet by the water
And dream so sweetly of you

Im gunna pack all my woes
Bury my foes
Tell all my friends, won’t be long
Im gunna lay my tired head by the water
And dream so sweetly of you.

Bubu waima e waima o
Bubu waima e waima o
Bubu waima e waima o
Waima e bubu waima o

Im gunna pack all my woes
Bury my foes
Tell all my friends where I’ve gone
Im gunna lay my tired head by the water
And dream so sweetly of you.

Waima e bubu waima o

All Rights Reserved
excluding Bubu Waima