My Country
Midnight Oil · Essential Oils [2012]
Was it just a giant leap of logic
Was it the time of year, that makes a state of fear
Methods, were their motives for the action
And did I hear you say
My country right or wrong
My country right or wrong
My country right or wrong
Did you save your face
Did you breach your faith
Women, there were children at the shelter
Now who can stop the hail
When human senses fail
There was never any warning, no escape
And did I hear you say
My country right or wrong
My country oh so strong
My country right or wrong
My country right or wrong
My country going wrong
My country right or wrong
I hear you say the truth must take a beating
The flag a camouflage for your deceiving
Cause I know, (I know) I know, it's written on your soul
I know we all make mistakes
This is not a case of blurred vision, it's a case of black holes, pocket
holes, soul holes
And did I hear you say
My country right or wrong
My country oh so strong
My country right or wrong
My country right or wrong
My country going wrong
My country right or wrong
My country, my country, my country
My Country
Midnight Oil's 'My Country' stands as a defining anthem of Australian political activism, originally released on their 1982 album 'The Cradle Will Fall'. The track was written to protest the proposed construction of a coal-fired power station in the Hunter Valley, a project that threatened the region's indigenous heritage and environmental future. As a staple of the band's protest rock repertoire, the song has been performed at countless rallies and remains a powerful symbol of environmental justice and indigenous rights. Its enduring popularity highlights the band's commitment to using music as a vehicle for social commentary, making it a cornerstone of their legacy alongside other iconic tracks like 'Beds Are Burning' and 'The Last of the Diggers'.