BLACK BOY

Bunna Lawrie, 1984

A shy black boy, you came to the city
To learn about life and how his people - (are / are living / lost their lives / lost heart / are st..... / ?***)
He's very stubborn, he was just a child
And now his life is mystified.

Black boy, black boy
Black boy, black boy
The color of your skin is your pride & joy
Black boy, black boy
Black boy, black boy
Your life is not destroyed.

He didn't go to school coz they called him ‘Black Boy’
He hardly talked to the girls and boys
Don't be a fool, just obey the rules
Cause you'll just learn the truth.

And one day you'll grow up to be a man
To learn and live and understand
Sticks and stones may break your bones
But names will never hurt you.

You'll be the one who's having fun
So you just keep on learning on.

Black boy, black boy
Black boy, black boy
The color of your skin is your pride & joy
Black boy, black boy
Black boy, black boy
Your life is not destroyed.


Bunna Lawrie’s group Coloured Stone – came from out of Koonibba Mission, west of Ceduna in SA. Bunna says this song is semi autobiographical.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v47WOQaZsI&t=45s

*** Many before me have tried to decipher these words and there are many variations on the Net – and even on different versions sung by Bunna!!


BtW, if you’re interested in music from Indigenous Australians, read this article from 2012 by iconic Australian singer-songwriter, Paul Kelly. The song/performer selection is not finite, of course, but it’s a great start :
https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2012/october/1360803357/paul-kelly/desert-songs#mtr


R-J