Xavier Rudd

Messages

So now come sit down
Will you talk with me now
Let me see through your eyes
Where there is so much light
We are biding our time
For these myths to unwind
For these changes we will confront

So please beware
With every place that you had
Look to your soul
For the things that you know
For the trees that we see
Can not forever breathe
With the changes they will confront

You know some people they just won’t understand
no I just won’t understand
These things
Thank you for your message but I don’t understand
no I just won’t understand
These things

For this sacred land
It has seen many hands
It has wealth and gold
Yet it is fragile and old
And all the greedy souls
Just don’t care to know
Of the changes it will confront

So speak out loud
Of the things you are proud
And if you love this coast
Then keep it clean as it hopes
‘Cause the way that it shines
May just dwindle with time
With the changes it will confront

You know some people they just won’t understand
no I just won’t understand
These things
Thank you for your message but I don’t understand
no I just won’t understand
These things

So hold nice and close
I want to get to your soul
So that when it is cold
You won’t feel so alone
‘Cause the roads that you take
May just crack and break
With the changes you will confront

With each gift that you share
You may heal and repair
With each choice you make
You may help someone’s day
Well I know you are strong
May your journey be long
And now I wish you the best of luck
Well I know you are strong
May your journey be long
And now I wish you the best of luck.

You know some people they just won’t understand
no I just won’t understand
These things
Thank you for your message but I don’t understand
no I just won’t understand
These things

Land Rights

This post is the first in a series of post to follow concerning Australian Aboriginals. Over the next few posts I will cover culture, history, art and other subjects that will help to give a full insight into one of the oldest cultures on the planet. For the first post I wanted to keep it short and allow the music to do the talking.

Australian Music

Today is Australia Day.

During Australia Day friends and family will gather together to celebrate Australian culture around the barbecue and have a few beers. Many parties will center around the radio while they listen to the Triple J Hottest 100, a countdown of the last years greatest tracks. And when I say greatest tracks they actually are. Its an alternative list with the mainstream artists not appearing, Taylor Swift was even banned from the list. This years winner was Chet Faker who featured heavily throughout the top 20.

Because of that I would like to give you my top 5 songs that taught me about Australia and Australian culture.

We learned more from a 3-minute record, than we ever learned in school.

In no particular order.

Xaiver Rudd – Fortune Teller

I once tried to play the didgeridoo, the breathing technique required is incredibly difficult. Xavier Rudd not only can play the Didgeridoo excellently he can also play the guitar and other instruments at the same time. His songs often carry a ‘love your land’ message with Rudd being a lover of Aboriginal culture and history.

It was difficult to find the one song of Xavier Rudd to add here as  I wanted to show how impressive he is musically as well as lyrically. To make a compromise I have also included a section of lyrics, if they aren’t enough to convince you watch the live video and that will.

For this sacred land
It has seen many hands
It has wealth and gold
Yet it is fragile and old
And all the greedy souls
Just don’t care to know
Of the changes it will confront
– The Message

Hilltop Hoods – Chase That Feeling

Australian Hip Hop has the country divided, you either love it or you hate it. Hilltop Hoods introduced me to Australian Hip Hop, you will hear them everywhere in Australia but probably not anywhere else in the world. Also see Bliss n Eso.

John Farnham – You’re the Voice

When I was introduced to this song the Australians told me they wanted this to be their national anthem. Unofficially I think it is.

We’re not gonna sit in silence, we’re not gonna live with fear.

Men at Work – Down Under

Everyone has heard Down Under and I was surprised to find out that it wasn’t played continuously in Australian bars. Even though the song contains very little factual lyrics it did introduce me to Vegemite. The song went to court over its famous flute riff, the writers were accused of stealing the riff from a childrens song, Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree. The band deny the claims but the court ruled that Down Under “replicated a substantial part of that song”.

John Butler Trio – Revolution

Another song with a political theme. Again John Butler has become an Australian institution and has a large fan base within the country.

I had to miss a lot from this list, I could of gone on, The Jezabels, Art Vs science, Angus and Julia Stone, Wolfmother, and Birds of Tokyo are all worth mentioning.

Please feel free to comment on what you think of my list and if you have any recommendations I would enjoy hearing them.