In The Valley

Midnight Oil · Essential Oils [2012]

My grandfather went down with the MonteVideo

The rising sun sent him floating to his rest

And his wife fled south to Sydney seeking out safe harbor

A North Shore matron she became with some paying guests



My father went down with the curse of big cities

Traffic tolls and deadlines took him to his peace

Now Bob Dyer glued us to our seats

And lawns were always Victa neat

Whilst Menzies fawned at royal fleet do you remember?



In the valley I walk, I took some comfort there

In the valley I walk, cold comfort I can hear you talk

In the valley I walk, who will take me there?



When my mother went down it was a stiff arm from Hades

Life surprises and tears you like the southerly

She always welcomed the spring always welcomed the stranger

I don't see too many around like this

Oh no, that's what I'm looking for, yeah, what we're looking for



In the valley I walk - who will take me there

In the valley I walk - cold comfort I can hear you talk

In the valley I walk - I took some comfort there

In the valley I walk - oh rough justice I hear you talk

In the valley I walk - to meet my watershed



I hope virtue brings it's own reward

And I hope the pen is mightier than any sword

I hope the kids will take it slow

I hope my country claims it's own



In the valley I walk - I cried yes I cried I was down then I crawled

Mercy's arms all around me when I was down there

In the valley I walk - do you read me they can hear me in the valley

In The Valley - Midnight Oil

Midnight Oil's "In The Valley" stands as a potent anthem within their broader catalogue of political and social commentary. Recorded for the 2012 compilation "Essential Oils," the track exemplifies the band's enduring commitment to addressing contemporary issues through a gritty, working-class lens. The song utilizes the band's signature blend of hard rock and punk energy to deliver urgent messages about environmental degradation and the plight of the underdog. As a staple of their live performances and radio play, "In The Valley" captures the raw, unfiltered spirit of Australian protest music, reinforcing the group's legacy as a voice for the marginalized. Its inclusion on the compilation highlights the band's continued relevance and ability to translate decades of activism into compelling new recordings that resonate with modern audiences.