Within the animist belief system of Indigenous Australians, a songline, also called dreaming track, is one of the paths across the land (or sometimes the sky) which mark the route followed by localised 'creator-beings' during the Dreaming. The paths of the songlines are recorded in traditional songs, stories, dance, and painting.
A knowledgeable person is able to navigate across the land by repeating the words of the song, which describe the location of landmarks, waterholes, and other natural phenomena. In some cases, the paths of the creator-beings are said to be evident from their marks, or petrosomatoglyphs, on the land, such as large depressions in the land which are said to be their footprints.
By singing the songs in the appropriate sequence, Indigenous people could navigate vast distances, often travelling through the deserts of Australia's interior. The continent of Australia contains an extensive system of songlines, some of which are of a few kilometres, whilst others traverse hundreds of kilometres through lands of many different Indigenous peoples — peoples who may speak markedly different languages and have different cultural traditions.
Songlines is the name of a British based magazine launched in 1999 that covers music from traditional and popular to contemporary and fusion, featuring artists from around the globe.
Songlines is published eight times a year and contains CD reviews, artist interviews, guides to particular world music traditions, concert and festival listings and travel stories. Every issue comes with an accompanying compilation CD featuring sample tracks from 10 of the best new releases reviewed in that issue and 5 additional tracks chosen by a celebrity. A podcast containing highlights of each issue is available to download through iTunes or through the Songlines website.
In 2008 Songlines Magazine was expanded to include 'Songlines Music Travel' a music tourism service offering excursions to renowned world music locations and festivals.
Young Roger the miller came courting of late To a farmer's fine daughter called beautiful Kate She had for her fortune a many fine things Beautiful silks and gold, diamonds and rings Her father, he gave her a neat plot of ground She had also a fortune, she had also a fortune of five hundred pounds Then the money and supper, they both were laid down Well, it was a great sight to see five hundred pounds The sight of that money and beauty likewise Made Roger's heart greedy and dazzled his eyes "Now that your daughter and money is here 'Tis I will not have her, 'tis I will not have her without that gray mare" Then the money and supper were taken from sight And likewise young Kathy, his own heart's delight Roger was taken and shown out the door And ordered not for to come there anymore 'Twas then he did tear at his long yellow hair Saying, "I wish I had never, I wish I had never spoke of that gray mare" Now it was when six months, they were over and past And Roger the miller, he met with his lass "I think I do know you then, madam," said he "I am the same way with you, sir," said she "A man with your features with fine yellow hair Oh he once came a-courting, he once came a-courting my father's gray mare" "Well, it was not a-courting the gray mare I came But you, my own jewel, my Kathy by name I thought that your father would never dispute To give me the gray mare with you to boot And not to risk lose such a dutiful son Oh it's now I am sorry, it's now I am sorry for what I have done" "For your sorrow, young Roger, I have little regard For there's plenty of men in this town to be had If you forgot the gray mare, you'd be married, you see But now you have neither the gray mare nor me The price of that mare, it was never so great Oh fare you well, Roger, oh fare you well, Roger, you're a sorrowful state" Now Roger's away to his desolate home And he sighs as he sits there and sups all alone Kathy, she sings, she is happy and gay She has wed a young miller who works the long day Lads, when you're courting, be always aware To court with a young maid, to court with a young maid and not the gray mare
‘Walking through a Songline’ is a digital art experience produced by the National Museum of Australia in partnership with Mosster Studio, with the ongoing support of the traditional First Nations’ custodians and knowledge holders of the story.
(MENAFN - Zex PR Wire) SongLine Yachts of Indonesia unveils new luxury yacht charter services and investment opportunities to grow marine tourism infrastructure across the archipelago. Jakarta, ... .
(MENAFN - Zex PR Wire) SongLine Yachts of Indonesia unveils a new fleet of luxury and traditional vessels, offering unparalleled marine tourism experiences and honoring Indonesia's maritime ... .
The Walbunja people of the NSW far south coast have been handed back an important piece of their culture, once owned by the late environmental activist, academic and philosopher Val Plumwood... .
TEHRAN-Two music albums by Iranian musicians are among the best albums selected by Songlines in its May issue. This British magazine covers music from traditional and popular to contemporary and fusion, featuring artists from around the globe ... .
He said that the SonglinesProject has been going on for many years now. Speaking about the Songlines Project, he said, “Tonight, it’s special because tonight we are bringing you a very special part of our First nations culture.
He said that the SonglinesProject has been going on for many years now. Speaking about the Songlines Project, he said, "Tonight, it's special because tonight we are bringing you a very special part of our First nations culture.
Researchers have found ancient watering holes long ago buried by rising seas. The watering holes may be ones referred to in an Indigenous Australian songline ... .
It was the year in which some of the nation’s wealthiest business identities, including descendants of WA’s iron ore founding fathers Lang Hancock and Peter Wright, as well as little-known Australians, took on some of our biggest companies in court.
