Took The Children Away

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tjx7X35cMkA

Song Lyrics: Took the Children Away
by Archie Roach
This story's right, this story's true
I would not tell lies to you
Like the promises they did not keep
And how they fenced us in like sheep.
Said to us come take our hand
Sent us off to mission land.
Taught us to read, to write and pray
Then they took the children away,
Took the children away,
The children away.
Snatched from their mother's breast
Said it was for the best
Took them away.

The welfare and the policeman
Said you've got to understand
We'll give them what you can't give
Teach them how to really live.
Teach them how to live they said
Humiliated them instead
Taught them that and taught them this
And others taught them prejudice.
You took the children away
The children away
Breaking their mothers heart
Tearing us all apart
Took them away


One dark day of Framingham
Come and didn't give a damn
My mother cried go get their dad
He came running, fighting mad
Mother's tears were falling down
Dad shaped up and stood his ground.
He said you touch my kids and you fight me
And they took us from our family.
Took us away
They took us away
Snatched from our mother's breast
Said this was for the best
Took us away.

Told us what to do and say
Told us all the white man's ways
Then they split us up again
And gave us gifts to ease the pain
Sent us off to foster homes
As we grew up we felt alone
Cause we were acting white
Yet feeling black

One sweet day all the children came back
The children come back
The children come back
Back where their hearts grow strong
Back where they all belong
The children came back
Said the children come back
The children come back
Back where they understand
Back to their mother's land
The children come back

Back to their mother
Back to their father
Back to their sister
Back to their brother
Back to their people
Back to their land
All the children come back
The children come back
The children come back
Yes I came back.


Took The Children Away was written by Archie Roach in 1990 and originally released on “Charcoal Lane”, his 1990 debut album which was a landmark release that highlighted many of the social issues that are at the forefront of Aboriginal life in Australia. Took The Children Away also saw Archie receive the Human Rights Achievement Award; the first time the award had ever been presented to a songwriter.

for more exposure for Archie. Charcoal Lane is a lovely album. Released in 1990, it is as fresh today as it was then. I think it has withstood the test of time...of course, what do I know.