Wendy Joseph, 1982
The trees of the forest grew tall The oak and the hazel, the ash and wild apple Their power respected by all Their strength safely guarded by priests of the lore Sacred the old ways, and earth's ancient pathways. No more
Then strangers came onto the land They lacked comprehension their godheads were different
They simply did not understand
They laughed at the old ways with scorn and derision
They raped and they slaughtered, and all was justified By the word 'civilised' See the forests die
Lai lai lai! Lai lai lai
Lai luh lai lai lai lai lai lai lai
Lai lai Lai luh lai lai lai
The trees of the bushland grew strong The casuarina, the red gum and mulga Honoured by those who belong The brown Pitjantjara, the emu, the brolga
Clear understanding and warm affinity With the earth and the trees Calm serenity
Then strangers came onto the land Born of those ancients, both victim and victor They simply did not understand They laughed at the old ways with scorn and derision
They raped and they slaughtered, and all was justified By the word 'civilised' See the bushland die
Lai lai lai...
And now here we sit on the land The children of children of children of ages If only together we'd stand With courage and love we could turn back the pages The earth and its fullness are ours if we try Raise a cry! Raise a cry
And see the trees grow high!
Lai lai lai...
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