By the way, did you notice who Australian Prime Minister-elect Kevin Rudd has named to his cabinet?
The name Peter Garrett probably means nothing to you, but if you were a young person in the 80s you probably saw his mug on MTV.
Recognize the picture?
He was a member of the rock group Midnight Oil, whose best-known song was called "Beds are Burning."
And, if you never listened to words, you might not have realized that it's a song of repentance for the Australian treatment of the continent's native inhabitants. I had even been planning to use this song in the reconciliation seminar we are developing.
Perhaps it's no coincidence that Rudd has said he will apologize to the nation's Aborigine community.
Here are the words to Beds are Burning ...
Out where the river broke
The bloodwood and the desert oak
Holden wrecks and boiling diesels
Steam in forty five degrees
The time has come
To say fair's fair
To pay the rent
To pay our share
The time has come
A fact's a fact
It belongs to them
Let's give it back
How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep when our beds are burning
Four wheels scare the cockatoos
From kintore east to yuendemu
The western desert lives and breathes
In forty five degrees
(live - on scream in blue
The time has come
A fact's a fact
It belongs to us all
Let's give it back)
Garrett had been Labor's spokesman on climate change while in opposition.
Comments