Title: Godanya Walkuntja (What a Friend We Have in Jesus)
Credit: Joseph M. Scriven (1855)
Artist: Inarma Womens’ Choir
Language: Pitjantjatjara
- Walytja nganampa Jesunya
Pika, kura wiyalpai.
Kulirala uwankara Godala tjakultjura!
Putulanku pilunari Putulanku palyanma!
Palu palyaringamala Godala watjarampa. - Mamungkulanya arkani, Munulanya kurani;
Nguluringkuwiyangkula Godala tjakultjura!
Wanyulampa walytja wiru, Kutjupa nyinanyimpa?
Jesunya nyuyuku ninti Utila wangkamalta. - Kurunpantin paku pulka? Tjituru-tjiturumpan?
Wanyu Jesula kutjungka Uwankara nintinma!
Tjanantiya nganananya Wantikatinyangkampa,
Nganana Jesulakutu Ankula nyinamalta.
Translations Pitjantjatjara Church Council 1978
Song Background
The Inarma Women’s Choir sing this hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, which at its core describes the unconditional friendship that can be found in Jesus, who we can depend on for help through all of life challenges, a friend who will welcome us with open arms and without judgement.
-CASM
Bio
The Inarma Women’s Choir “are closely related and originate from the remote communities of Pipalyatjara, Pukatja (SA), Mutitjulu and Titijikala (NT) sharing Tjukuṟpa and songlines that span the Mann Ranges, Petermann Ranges and Uluru. These women sing in language, steeped in the Lutheran choral tradition of Central Australia”
Gabriella Smart, Dylan Crismani and Hen Vaughan, “Soundstream Emerging Composers Forum 2025,” Resonate Magazine, January 22, 2025, https://www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/article/soundstream-emerging-composers-forum-2025.
Image of choir details: L-R: Katrina Connelly, Lisa Mulda, Virginia Mulda, Valerie Claude, Nevernca Cooper. ‘Members of Inarma Choir at Jessie Gap NT.