The Children Came Back

Sister Helen's Justice Train Playlist

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

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

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

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

The children came back

Back where they understand, back to their mothers’ land

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.

Submit a song!

This playlist is a collaborative effort, so your input is not only welcome but vital! Please share a song with us. We're looking for:

music that reminds us what we’re struggling for;
music that reminds us of why it’s worth the struggle;
music that strengthens us when we need to be brave; that lifts up up when we’re feeling lost or helpless; that reminds us of our own power; that connects us through our common humanity;
songs we can sing when we’re facing down injustices in the world.