Proud Gumbaynggirr and Yamatji artist Emma Donovan has put her stamp on Al Green’s soul classic “Take Me To the River.” I’ve long believed you shouldn’t cover a song unless you can make it your own, but the inclusion of language in the back half makes this version totally unique.
“I’m quite nervous releasing a song like ‘Take Me To The River’ because the Al Green version is such an iconic version, and it’s a big song!” Emma admitted. “But it’s exciting and good to share my perspective on it. A song like Take Me To The River is similar to an Archie Roach song like ‘Get Back To The Land.’ It’s about filling that cup up after a big breakup, going to look for that Country, looking for that water, to cleanse and feel good. I love my connection to that song and I’m excited to share it.”
Emma also thought about her own experiences in local waterways when she recorded her version. “My take on this song is really about family and community,” she added. “We always talk about going up the river, that’s our outlet. We go fishing, we go swimming, we go to hang out, and we take the little ones and we’re there with family. We’ve been following my nannas and my grandfathers for years to the river. So hopefully, with that bit of language that we translated, people will feel the connection to that.”
Emma has announced some fabulous shows for the summer. Catch her at the following events.
30 November 2025 – Sync the Music launch @ Bellingen Memorial Hall, Gumbaynggirr Country/Bellingen
16 January 2026 – Sydney Festival @ City Recital Hall, Eora/Sydney
13 February 2026 – Riverboats Music Festival @ Aquatic Reserve, Yorta Yorta Country/Echuca
7 March 2026 – Port Fairy Folk Festival @ Southcombe Park, Gunditjmara Country/Port Fairy
Photo credit: Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore