River Runs Red

Midnight Oil · Blue Sky Mining [1990]

So you cut all the tall trees down

You poisoned the sky and the sea

You've taken what's good from the ground

But you left precious little for me



You remember the flood and the fall

We remember the light on the hill

There should be enough for us all

But the dollar is driving us still



River runs red

Black rain falls

Dust in my hand



River runs red

Black rain falls

On my bleeding land



So we came and conquered and found

Richers of commons and kings

Who strangled and wrestled the ground

But they never put back anything



Now I'm trapped like a dog in a cage

Wherever the truth is pursued

It must be the curse of the age

What's taken is never renewed



River runs red...

River Runs Red

Midnight Oil's "River Runs Red" stands as a potent anthem from their 1990 album *Blue Sky Mining*, embodying the band's signature blend of punk energy and political urgency. Released during a period of intense scrutiny regarding Australian mining practices, the track serves as a scathing critique of environmental degradation and corporate greed. The song utilizes driving rhythms and a soaring chorus to amplify its message, reflecting the group's commitment to raising awareness about social justice issues. As a defining piece of their discography, it captures the raw frustration and hope characteristic of the era, cementing the band's legacy as a voice for the working class and ecological conscience.