Truganini
Australia Unveiled: Midnight Oil's Powerful Reflection on Broken Land and Chains
Lyrics
There's a road train going nowhere
Reference to a road train going aimlessly or without direction.
Roads are cut, lines are down
Infrastructure issues with roads and communication lines disrupted.
We'll be staying at the Roma Bar
Temporary stay at Roma Bar until the monsoon passes.
Till that monsoon passes on
Waiting for the monsoon to end before moving forward.
The backbone of this country's broken
Expressing the broken state of the country's backbone, possibly its core values or systems.
The land is cracked and the land is sore
Describing the land as damaged and wounded.
Farmers are hanging on by their fingertips
Farmers struggling to survive, holding on desperately.
We cursed and stumbled across that shore
Referring to a challenging journey or experience across a metaphorical shore.
I hear much support for the monarchy
Awareness of support for the monarchy.
I hear the Union Jack's to remain
Acknowledging the persistence of the Union Jack.
I see Namatjira in custody
Observing Namatjira, an Indigenous Australian artist, in custody.
I see Truganini's in chains
Highlighting the historical injustice and oppression symbolized by Truganini's chains.
And the world it won't stand still
Emphasizing the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the world.
Blue collar work it don't get you nowhere
Critiquing the limited opportunities and financial struggles of blue-collar workers.
You just go round and round in debt
Commenting on the cyclical nature of debt for those in blue-collar jobs.
Somebody's got you on that treadmill, mate
Suggesting external control and manipulation in one's life, akin to a treadmill.
And I hope you're not beaten yet
Expressing hope for resilience despite challenges faced.
I hear much support for the monarchy
Reiteration of support for the monarchy.
I see the Union Jack in flames, let it burn
Dramatic expression of letting the Union Jack burn as a form of protest or rebellion.
I see Namatjira with dignity
Contrasting the dignity of Namatjira with the oppression symbolized by Truganini's chains.
I see Truganini's in chains
Reiteration of Truganini's symbolic imprisonment, highlighting historical injustices.
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