I’m Fitzroy where the stars be

I’m Wanganeen in ’93

I’m Mundine, I’m Cathy Free-

Man, that fire inside-a-me

I’m Adam Goodes, and Adam should

Be applauded when he stand up

You can look to us when that time stop

I’m Patty Mills with the last shot

 

I’m Gurrumul, I’m Archie

I’m everything that you ask me

I’m everything that you can’t be

I’m the dead hearts, heart beat

 

The children came back

The children came back

Back where their hearts grow strong, back where they all belong

The children came back

 

I’m Doug Nicholls, I’m Jimmy Little

With a royal telephone

I’m the world champ in ’68

Boy I’m Lionel Rose

I’m William Cooper, I take a stand

When no one even knows

I’m the walk off, I’m the sound of

The children coming home

 

Boy I’m Gurrumul, I’m Archie

I’m everything that you ask me

I’m everything that you can’t be

I’m the dead hearts, heart beat

 

The children came back

The children came back

Back where their hearts grow strong, back where they all belong

The children came back

 

Let me take it home, I’m Rumba

I’m the sand hills on Cummera

I’m Les Briggs, I’m Paul Briggs

I’m Uncle Ringo with all them kids

I’m Uncle Buddy, everybody loves me

Ain’t none below, ain’t none above me

I’m the carvings outta every scar tree

I’m those flats that birthed Archie

Now Mr Abbott, think about it

Me and you we feel the same

That might sound strange, I’m just sayin’

We both unsettled when the boats came

 

I’m Gurrumul, I’m Archie

I’m everything that you ask me

I’m everything that you can’t be

I’m the dead hearts, heart beat

 

The children came back

The children came back

Back where their hearts grow strong, back where they all belong

The children came back

The children came back

The children came back

Back where they understand, back to their mothers’ land

The children came back

The children came back

The children came back

Back where their hearts grow strong, back where they all belong

The children came back

Why this song?

Listen to this song together with Archie Roach’s early song ‘Took the Children Away’. Briggs celebrates those Aboriginal children, part of the Stolen Generations, who came back home and who achieved so much. Non-Aussies might not recognise all the references, but the celebration of reunification is clear.

Do you have a song that deserves to ride the Justice Train? Let us know about it below.