(Verse 1: Shareef)
Isn’t it supposed to be twenty first century,
but government abandonment's leaving communities bleeding
original peoples treated like second class citizens
Colin Barnett still has the gall to say to all of them
"Put yourself in my shoes for just a minute",
rich white man, nice house, inner western city limits
Premier of a state established on stolen lands
exactly the kinda guy who reaps all of the benefits
thousands at parliament standing screaming at him
that it always was always will be again
Aboriginal lands he's trying to take them away
same game being played since seventeen eighty eight
a circuit break; what we hope and need to be
we need to see a switch in, the basics of policy
from racism to sovereignty; a treaty in our time
we better when we’re one, united we survive!
Hook: (Della Rae Morrison, Ronnie Smith & Charley)
my feet stand on this country
we're connected to the core
like the roots of a tree land keeps me strong
more and more and more
we have a spiritual connection
it's our heart it's our soul
don't break my heart, my family
don't destroy our home
(Scratch Bridge)
We will not stand for the dismantling of the dreams of our elders
our communities are our home
(Verse 2: Bryte MC)
Closing our indigenous communities is lunacy
they drive us in and kick us out and strip our opportunities
call me a whinging abo ay yo that ain't freakin' new to me
I rep it musically at your funeral for a eulogy
the importance of purity, of culture and unities
human communication and justice no matter who you be
the destruction of sacred sites to dig for jewelry
uranium or coal, to poison the place of beauty see
all of my dope family they grow and support
with each eye open we climbing over slowing reports
we know it's a rort cos tony talks slow and distraught
after cohorting with his mates in the courts on funding reforms
living the Gatsby life, see 'em connive and
probably swap wives at a chateau in the Forbes
spinning the lies and cutting cultural ties
they fucking multiple lives in the shadow of resource
dead shits claim we take tax money and get pissed
but check this governments friends list and fighter jet fix
there's stolen land under every house you can buy
least they can do is afford the basic human rights.
(Hook: Della Rae Morrison, Ronnie Smith & Charley)
my feet stand on this country
we're connected to the core
like the roots of a tree land keeps me strong
more and more and more
we have a spiritual connection
it's our heart it's our soul
don't break my heart, my family
don't destroy our home
(Scratch Bridge)
We will not stand for the dismantling of the dreams of our elders
our communities are our home
(Verse 3: Percuss)
Here we are now in the place I call country
some people are being racist and it's obvious they can't see
the bigotry, the irony, in the things that kickstart these
fiery debates, like I don't wanna hear it, I'm done
pleeaaaase
who the hell are you and who the hell am i
to sit and and deny anyone their cultural rights
especially when that culture was here before mine
and if you can't respect that we're gonna argue for nights!
it's simple and plain to me, the ripples insane to see
all across the nation the people are arguing
over the lives of other people they hardly
ever really met or probably give a shit about
takes some clout, to remove them from their homes
multiple times like you're the boss of their own
makes me doubt, if you understand the throes
communities closing downs not something we condone
(Outro)
It was their dream to go back to country
we will fight this every step of the way
until we can say our communities are safe
from the threat of forced closures
our land is our home
our communities sit on our lands
and our law is in that land
and we shall not accept anything to do with forced closures
we will fight this every step of the way
credits
from On Country (Single),
released November 26, 2015
Written by: Shareef, Percuss, Bryte MC & Charley
Produced by: Rob Shaker
Recorded by: Rob Shaker @ Shake Down Studios, Ruxton (scratches) & Brody Simpson @ Underground Recording Studios (marching snare)
Mixed by: Ruxton
Mastered by: Joe Carra @ Crystal Mastering
Vocals by: Shareef, Percuss, Bryte MC, Della Rae Morrison, Ronnie Smith & Charley
Scratches by: DJ Tek
Spoken word by: Mitch Torres
Marching snare by: Brody Simpson
Horns by: Brendan Scott Grey & Matt Smith