The Dead Heart
Midnight Oil · Essential Oils [2012]
Don't serve your king
Know your custom don't speak your tongue
White man came took everyone
We don't serve your country
Don't serve your king
White man listen to the songs we sing
White man came took everything
We carry in our hearts the true country
And that cannot be stolen
We follow in the steps of our ancestry
And that cannot be broken
We don't serve your country
Don't serve your king
Know your custom don't speak your tongue
White man came took everyone
We don't need protection
Don't need your hand
Keep your promise on where we stand
We will listen we'll understand
We carry in our hearts the true country
And that cannot be stolen
We follow in the steps of our ancestry
And that cannot be broken
We carry in our hearts the true country
And that cannot be stolen
We follow in the steps of our ancestry
And that cannot be broken
Mining companies, pastoral companies
Uranium companies
Collected companies
Got more right than people
Got more say than people
Forty thousand years can make a difference to the state
of things
The dead heart lives here
The Dead Heart
Midnight Oil's "The Dead Heart" stands as a potent anthem within their broader catalogue of political and environmental activism. Recorded for the 2012 compilation Essential Oils, the track exemplifies the band's signature blend of punk energy and socially conscious lyricism. The song addresses the erosion of the Australian landscape, reflecting on the consequences of industrial exploitation and the loss of natural heritage. Through its driving rhythm and urgent vocal delivery, the recording reinforces the group's long-standing commitment to raising awareness about ecological degradation and social justice. It serves as a reminder of their role in using music as a platform for critical commentary on contemporary issues, maintaining a legacy of activism that resonates across generations.