Forgotten Years

Midnight Oil · Essential Oils [2012]

Few of the sins of the father, are visited upon the son

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.