Bullroarer
Midnight Oil · Diesel And Dust [1987]
Before the breaking of the rain
The temperature in the shade
Had reached a hundred and ten again
In the desert in the dry
On the overland telegraph line
Don't take the law into your own hands
Don't go looking for a fight
I've heard the bullroarers
In the desert in the dry
Sun sits so high
Long day's mile and the
Radio crackles and the bones bleached white
It's a knock-em-down storm
See the tin roof shake
Wild dog howls and the long grass
Whistles and the tall trees break
I've seen the wild horses
I've heard the bullroarers
I've seen the wild horses
Shifting sands and broken plans
Lead me on to my homeland
Bullroarer - Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil's 1987 track 'Bullroarer' stands as a defining anthem of the Australian punk movement, delivered with the band's signature driving rhythm and urgent social commentary. Recorded for the album *Diesel And Dust*, the song exemplifies the group's commitment to political activism through rock music, addressing themes of environmental degradation and industrial exploitation prevalent in the late 1980s. The recording captures the raw energy of the era, blending punk aggression with the band's traditional folk roots to create a powerful sound that resonated globally. As a key piece in their discography, 'Bullroarer' remains a testament to Midnight Oil's ability to fuse political messaging with compelling musical arrangements, influencing countless subsequent acts in the alternative and punk genres.