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.
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.