Verse 1
(Vocal Styles: Octave Doubling for a thick, grounded sound; Belting on the final lines to show strength)
Mi sindaun long nambis, Westirian camp,
The ship is waiting, the air is damp.
12:30, they call out every name,
We step through the rain, we feel the flame!
The MV Laban Oule begins to roar,
Leaving the sand of the Manus shore!
We sail to Seadler Bay, we’re moving fast,
The journey has started, the die is cast!
Chorus 1
(Vocal Style: Call and Answer — Lead singer leads, group answers back)
Call: Where are we headed through the rain?
Answer: (Heading to Madang, through the wind and pain!)
Call: Is the MV Laban moving strong?
Answer: (Moving to the rhythm of the ocean’s song!)
Call: Do we give up when the sky turns black?
Answer: (No turning around, no looking back!)
Verse 2
(Vocal Styles: Whisper Chant for the dark night; Homophony for the part about building the village)
Whisper chant:
Sailing out the dark night, passing Liu Island,
Creeping past the shadows of Alim Island.
No stars in the sky, no moon to see,
Just the big, wild ocean, and the wind and me.
Switch to Homophony (Harmony in sync):
Wok mas go het, ino gat less man,
Yumi sanap strong, holdim tight long han.
Buildim village wantaim development,
This is the life, this is why we were sent!
Chorus 2
(Vocal Style: Question and Answer — Soloist asks, Choir responds)
Question: Why do the copra buyers sail the deep?
Answer: For the harvest we sow and the promises we keep.
Question: Is the Captain brave in the Bismarck gale?
Answer: He guides the helm, he will not fail!
Verse 3
(Vocal Styles: Choir for a grand, cinematic feel; Homophony for the arrival)
The Bismarck Sea is a giant at play,
We face the storm in the middle of the day.
Passengers frightened but standing tall,
Confident hearts, we won’t let them fall.
Karkar Island rises, a ghost in the mist,
Two giant mountains by the salt-spray kissed.
Now we see Kalibobo, the light is clear,
The beautiful harbor of Madang is near!
Chorus 3
(Vocal Style: Call and Response — Lead singer improvises, group responds with the main theme)
Lead: Look at the lighthouse, see the white sand!
Response: (We’ve made it to the Madang land!)
Lead: Copra in the hold, the work is done!
Response: (Under the light of the setting sun!)
Lead: MV Laban Oule, take us to the pier!
Response: (The journey is over, we have no fear!)
Final Chorus
(Vocal Style: Unison — Everyone singing the same melody with maximum power)
Solwara silip, the sea is now still,
We followed the dream and we followed the will.
From Manus to Madang, across the wide blue,
The Laban Oule has carried us through.
We stop at the wharf, we stand on the ground,
In beautiful Madang, we are finally found!
