Forgotten Years
Midnight Oil · Essential Oils [2012]
Hearts have been hard, our hands have been clenched in a fist too long
Our sons will never be soldiers, our daughters will never need guns
These are the yrs between
These are the yrs that were hard fought and won
Contracts torn at the edges, old signatures stained with tears
Seasons of war and grace, these should not be forgotten years
Still it aches like tetanus, it reeks of politics
How many dreams remain? This is a feeling too strong to contain
The hardest years, the darkest yrs, the roarin' yrs, the fallen yrs
These should not be forgotten yrs
The hardest yrs, the wildest yrs, the desperate and divided yrs
We will remember, these should not be forgotten yrs
Our shoreline was never invaded, our country was never in flames
This is the calm we breathe, this is a feeling too strong to contain
Still it aches like tetanus, it reeks of politics
Signatures stained with tears, who can remember
We've got to remember
The hardest yrs, the darkest yrs..
Forsaking aching breaking yrs, the time and tested heartbreak yrs
These should not be forgotten yrs
The blinded yrs, the binded yrs, the desperate and divided yrs
These should not be forgotten yrs, remember
Forgotten Years
Midnight Oil's "Forgotten Years" stands as a poignant addition to their 2012 compilation, Essential Oils. The track exemplifies the band's enduring commitment to Australian social commentary, blending their signature hard rock sound with urgent political messaging. Released during a period of renewed global focus on environmental and labor issues, the song reflects the group's historical role in highlighting the struggles of the working class and marginalized communities. With its driving rhythm and characteristic vocal delivery, the recording captures the raw energy of the band's live performances while maintaining the polished production typical of their later catalog. As a staple of their discography, the song continues to resonate with listeners who appreciate music that intertwines artistic expression with civic responsibility.
