The non-sacred songs are traded freely between tribes. It frequently happens that these songs cross language borders, and sometimes the new owners do not even know what the words of the song mean. These songs spread very easily. One of the better known, perhaps more publicised, forms of these entertainment evenings is the corroboree, which is really a folk-dance evening. All the able bodied men dance for three or four hours continuously while the women and children sing.
Music also plays a part in the hum-drum existence of daily life.
When, for instance, it is the intention of the person engaged in conversation to make the matter as little noticeable as possible, or when they want to impart information to each other without attracting the attention of a third party, they clothe their words in song. And the same is also done when a third party is criticised. Moreover, it is for exactly similar reasons that all communications which are supposed to be carried on with superhuman beings are chanted or crooned, in order that the Evil Spirit's attention may not be drawn to the fact. I myself have noticed, particularly among the women, that the leader in a ceremony, rather than speak, will sing the necessary instructions to the other performers. This singing is always in the traditional tonal pattern of that particular ceremony.