Warakurna
Midnight Oil · Essential Oils [2012]
In Redfern as there is in Alice
This is not the Buckingham Palace
This is the crown land
This is the brown land
This is not our land
Some folks live in water tanks
Some folks live in red brick flats
There is enough, the law is carved in granite
It's been shaped by wind and rain
White law could be wrong
Black law must be strong
Warakurna, cars will roll
Don't drink by the water hole
Court fines on the shopfront wall
Beat the grog and save your soul
Some people laugh, some never learn
This land must change or land must burn
Some people sleep, some people yearn
This land must change or land must burn
Diesel and dust is what we breathe
This land don't change and we don't leave
Some people live, some never die
This land don't change this land must lie
Some people leave, always return
This land must change or land must burn
Warakurna, camels roam
Fires are warm and dogs are cold
Not since Lassiter was here
Black man's got a lot to fear
Some people laugh some never learn
This land must change or land must burn
Some people leave, always return
This land must change or land must burn
Warakurna - Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil's 'Warakurna' stands as a potent anthem within their broader catalogue of Australian political and social commentary. Recorded for the 2012 compilation 'Essential Oils', the track exemplifies the band's signature blend of punk energy and folk instrumentation, delivering urgent messages on indigenous rights and environmental stewardship. The song reflects the group's long-standing commitment to highlighting the struggles of marginalized communities, utilizing a driving rhythm and evocative lyrics to underscore themes of displacement and resilience. As a key component of their discography, 'Warakurna' continues to resonate with listeners who appreciate music that serves as both a cultural document and a call to action, maintaining the band's legacy as a leading voice in Australian rock.