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Forgotten

from Paradise : Lost by The Kellaways

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about

Not even citizens until the 1960s and ownership of land not acknowledged until Vincent Lingiari made big things grow from a little thing called raw courage. But when the skies darkened and the prospect was war, man were they welcome. In particular during the first world war, Aborigines were an invaluable commodity with their extraordinary stoic hardiness and astonishing horsemanship. However, come 1918, they didn’t exist. No soldier settlement blocks and grateful receptions at parades sweeping through the streets of the country’s great metropolises – back to where you came from Jacky.

This song has no basis in fact, but it could have. The second world war was no different in that many indigenous men enlisted – despite knowing how their forebears of 20 years earlier were treated – and were similarly dismissed at war’s end. Years later, some didn’t even appear to have a service record. (Hey, why worry about documenting the contribution of a non-citizen?). It’s just another chapter in the despicable history of white people’s treatment of our noble black brothers and sisters. Makes you wonder, did anyone even bother to let the wives and family know that their father, son, brother or uncle would never return? (Hey, you wouldn’t know where to start looking, would you?)

lyrics

FORGOTTEN

Nineteen-twenty, a Tiwi island in the sun
A little baby boy was born to laugh and run
No-one could have guessed his life to come
On that timeless isle, in the tropic sun
(Stopped the Dreaming)

He went down to Townsville cutting cane all day
Outside the pub he’d blow his meagre pay
That was where he was on that fateful day
Heard someone say: ‘Darwin’s blown away’
(You stopped the Dreaming)

He stood there in line, an enlisted man
Maybe now the whites would understand
His people were prepared to declare their hand
Fight evil swarms, from the Asian north
They’d stand and fight

He was fighting for acceptance and integrity
Fighting as a man who’s told he’s free
Welcomed to the army as an equal man
They’d make a stand, protect the land (yhes we will)
(You stopped the Dreaming)

Fought bravely in New Guinea as a daring scout
Shot by chance the day before they shipped him out
Now they say there’s certainly some doubt
If he served at all, no honour roll
Who counted blacks?

He’s still fighting for acceptance and integrity
Fighting as a man who’s told he’s free
Welcomed to society an equal man
When equal is, all relative
He’ll stand and fight (yes we will)

He’s still fighting for acceptance and integrity
Fighting as a man who’s told he’s free
Welcomed to society an equal man
When equal is, all relative
(Just a little justice, just a little justice …….)

credits

from Paradise : Lost, released September 1, 1999

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The Kellaways Melbourne, Australia

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