Creator: Song written and performed by Australian band Midnight Oil composed of James Moginie, Robert Hirst, Peter Gifford and Peter Garrett, released in 1987.
Purpose:
“Beds Are Burning” is a political song about giving native Australian lands back to the Pintupi, who were among the very last people to come in from the desert. (Wikipedia). The song was also used as the first ever global music petition for Climate Change in 2009 as the “Tck Tck Tck, Time for Climate Justice” campaign.
Song Manifesto: Beds Are Burning
© Midnight Oil 1987
Out where the river broke
The blood wood and the desert oak
Holden wrecks and boiling diesels
Steam in forty five degrees
The time has come
To say fair’s fair
To pay the rent
To pay our share
The time has come
A fact’s a fact
It belongs to them
Let’s give it back
How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning
How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning
The time has come
To say fair’s fair
To pay the rent, now
To pay our share
Four wheels scare the cockatoos
From Kintore East to Yuendemu
The western desert lives and breathes
In forty five degrees
The time has come
To say fair’s fair
To pay the rent
To pay our share
The time has come
A fact’s a fact
It belongs to them
Let’s give it back
How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning
How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning
The time has come
To say fair’s fair
To pay the rent, now
To pay our share
The time has come
A fact’s a fact
It belongs to them
We’re gonna give it back
How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning
Source
Official Midnight Oil Music Video from YouTube