Freedom

Chorus:
This is a song of freedom
of a people brave and strong,
a song of Australia's freedom;
it won't detain you long.

Many came here as convicts
when they escaped the noose.
The privilege of the gander
would really suit the goose.

Aborigines forced from their land
by white invasion's mendacity,
seldom given a helping hand
it was just a prison colony.

Our jails are full to overflowing,
holding mainly working class,
afflicted and drug addicted
those whose luck could never last.

Chorus:

Asylum seekers in detention,
though escaped from tyranny,
is beyond my comprehension
for a people wanting to be free.

The young are told to sell their soul
unemployment's emancipation
pollies say "work for the dole"
is your mutual obligation.

Workers weaker, bosses stronger,
award conditions fade away,
pay gets smaller, hours get longer
one eyed judges holding sway.

ASIO claims it needs more power,
to save us from our liberation,
to protect us in our darkest hour,
and show the way to our salvation.

Chorus:

We're just faces in the street
but it doesn't have to stay this way
we don't have to cop it sweet,
till we all are old and grey.

We've ideas above our station,
we will answer freedom's call,
we will build a united nation
solidarity with one and all.

Then at last we'll all be free
share the wealth and liberty
and throw away the jailer's key;
and throw away the jailer's key.

Then we'll sing a song of freedom
of a people brave and strong,
a song of Australia's freedom;
a land where we all belong.

John Tomlinson and Penny Harrington

From Green Left Weekly, January 28, 2004.

Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

From GLW issue 568