I recall singing this number in one annual MayDay Choir in Darwin, early 90s!

SPIRIT OF THE LAND   -    [1st version]

Martin Kellock

When you look around, look at how we're living
And you see the way that we treat those who stand in our way
Always taking more, never ever giving
Don't you feel ashamed, of what we're doing today?

Wish I could repay, all our acts of desecration
European eyes couldn't see beyond their own greed
All the tribal land, all the native population
How long must it go on, how long can they bleed?

Chorus :
Oh I, wish we could remember
Maybe, then we'll understand
They know, where the wealth is hidden
They know, Spirit of the Land.

Spirit of the Laa-and !!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo61FNMTHSY    Spirit of the Land from Ross Hannaford’s Lucky Dog; lead vocal by composer Martin Kellock.

The late, talented and zany, Ross Hannaford, now much missed. His best-known group was probably Daddy Cool but he was also a much sought-after session guitarist : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Hannaford

“….. Ross at his best was a uniquely sublime musician, and the best I ever heard from him was always live. In his last few years he played superb R&R/R&B etc. at the St Andrews Pub with The Useful Members of Society - his solos on Neil Young's On The Beach in particular were as inspired, innovative and expressive as any electric guitar of that kind ever played by anyone ever, anywhere; and with his duos, trios and quartets at the hole in the wall venue of Claypots in Barkly Street St Kilda around the same time, his ineffably ethereal extemporisations on his own original themes were indescribably transporting…. “ Jacob Marley, YouTube channel.


R-J