WHY CAN'T WE GIVE REFUGE TO A REFUGEE?    © Bernard Carney 2002

    We are the lucky country we have hearts enough to care
    We can speak our minds in freedom we have boundless plains to share
    We don't deny our mateship regardless of the cost
    And our doors are always open to the lonely and the lost

    Well that was how it once was we were proud to make the claim
    But a darkening of spirit now has crept across our name
    For the way we treat our weakest is what the world will see
    When we can't give refuge to a refugee
    Why can't we give refuge to a refugee

    This world's known so much chaos there's a shadow through the lands
    I search the stars for answers but I just don't understand
    When broken souls in need of help cried out for us to hear
    We could have offered hope and love instead we offered fear

    The fear of drab detention locked like dingos in a pound
    The fear of no horizon on this so called Christian ground
    And every rule our country makes reflects on you and me
    When we can't give refuge to a refugee
    Why can't we give refuge to a refugee

    And the sharp eyes of the world can see just what we're coming to
    We who have so much but cannot share it with the few
    Reacting to the symptoms never thinking of the cause
    When hunger and injustice are the enemies of us all

    For the faceless wounded spirits locked behind the razor wire
    We rally for their freedom with our consciences on fire
    And our hearts become the harder and we harbour bigotry
    When we can't give refuge to a refugee
    Why can't we give refuge to a refugee

    And I fly no flag of Jesus speak no politicians creed
    But sing the song of human beings crying out in need
    And I'll sing it ever louder until all the wounds are healed
    Til they know our hearts are open even though their lips are sealed

    For we are the lucky country and we have hearts enough to care
    We can speak our minds in freedom we have boundless plains to share
    And we've always known compassion and rejoiced in being free
    But we can't give refuge to a refugee
    Why can't we give refuge to a refugee

    Notes
    Many thanks to Bernard Carney for permission to add this song to the Union Songs collection. Unions in Australia have been active in the campaign to change the country's treatment of refugees particularly those the government labels "Illegal Immigrants", and locks up in purpose built privately run jails they call "Detention Camps". These camps are made inaccessible to relatives, lawyers and even politicians. The government describes it's treatment of the refugees as "A Deterent to people smugglers". It narrowly won the 2001 Federal Election by whipping up hysteria on the issue, spreading lies like children being thrown overboard by their parents.


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