The Last Of The Diggers
Midnight Oil · Other Songs - Midnight Oil
Now that the last of the diggers has gone
All those who were released
From Sulva Bay and from the Somme
The Mallee is whipped by sand
A great new silence blankets the land
We sure need the stone age
In the coming century
Who will feed the poor
Now that the saint of the gutters is gone
Who will hear the call
You lately come or native born
For the touch of the Master's hand
The eye of the Master still watches the lamb
We sure need the Stone Age
In the coming century
The last of the diggers
The last of the diggers
The last of the diggers
The last of the diggers has won
Who gets sent to war
Who'll lose a child to a foreign coast
Who will leave our shore
And come home rattling like a ghost
This country can be cruel
It'll leave you with scars that never heal
We sure need the stone age in the coming century
Still gonna need some stone age in the coming century
The last of the diggers
The last of the diggers
The last of the diggers
The last of the diggers has won
The Last Of The Diggers
Midnight Oil's 'The Last Of The Diggers' stands as a potent anthem within the Australian political rock canon, reflecting the band's enduring commitment to social justice and environmental activism. Released during a period of heightened ecological concern, the track utilizes the band's signature blend of gritty guitar riffs and driving rhythms to deliver a scathing critique of industrial exploitation and the erosion of working-class dignity. The song exemplifies the group's ability to transform complex socio-political themes into accessible, emotionally resonant music that mobilized listeners and became a staple in their live performances. As part of their broader discography, it reinforces their legacy as a defining voice in the New Wave of Australian Heavy Metal, bridging the gap between punk energy and progressive rock while addressing issues that remain relevant today.