Monday, October 02, 2017

Midnight Oil 'Song a Day' #27 "Beds are Burning"


Back from holiday and working out of my planned order...
From the Sydney Olympics Closing Ceremony "Sorry Suits" [October 1st 2000] to gigs all over the place this song is a special part of the Oils story. Inspired by their relationship with Australia's indigenous people and central Australia I'm so proud such a band and a song exists... It costs us very little to offer Acknowledgment  of Indigenous connections with the land wherever we gather for events/community but it speaks volumes for those who go further and build genuine relationships with those who hold custodianship of the land where they are...

"Last night Midnight Oil played a special gig at the Walungurru School in Kintore with local group, The Running Water Band. The small desert town is located about 10 hours drive west of Alice Springs. While the show had not been announced formally, word had spread through surrounding remote communities via the bush telegraph since local elders had invited the Oils to return. 
This part of Australia has held a special place in the hearts of the band since they first played here with Warumpi Band back in 1986 on the tour which inspired "Diesel & Dust" and lead to Kintore being namechecked in the lyrics of "Beds Are Burning". The highlight of last night's gig was an impromptu mid-song performance of "Wipeout" in which kids from the local school were invited onstage to help with the drum solos. The Australian leg of "The Great Circle 2017" formally commences tonight in Alice Springs." 
Midnight Oil

"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
While our beds are burning
How can we dance
When our earth is turning
How do we sleep
While our beds are burning
The time has come
To say fair's fair
To pay the rent
Now to pay our share
Four wheels scare the cockatoos
From Kintore East to Yuendemu
The western desert lives and breathes
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…

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