Spears could not contend against guns and we were mastered,

But there are things they could not plunder and destroy.

We were conquered but never subservient,

We were compelled but never servile.

Do not think I cringe as white men cringe to whites.

I am proud,

Though humble and poor and without a home …

So was Christ.

Then and Now

In my dreams I hear my tribe

Laughing as they hunt and swim,

But dreams are shattered by rushing car,

By grinding tram and hissing train,

And I see no more my tribe of old

As I walk alone in the teeming town.

I have seen corroboree

Where that factory belches smoke;

Here where they have memorial park

One time lubras dug for yams;

One time our dark children played

There where the railway yards are now,

And where I remember the didgeridoo

Calling to us to dance and play,

Offices now, neon lights now,

Bank and shop and advertisement now,

Traffic and trade of the busy town.

No more woomera, no more boomerang,

No more playabout, no more the old ways.

Children of nature we were then,

No clocks hurrying crowds to toil.

Now I am civilised and work in the white way,

Now I have dress, now I have shoes:

'Isn't she lucky to have a good job! '

Better when I had only a dillybag.

Better when I had nothing but happiness.

Daisy Bindi

Slavery at Roy Hill, to our shame profound,

Wages for the blacks nil all the year round,

Slavers given free hand by police consent,

Winked at obligingly by Government.

But a woman warrior where aid there was none

Led her dark people till the fight was won.

1. Salute to a spirit fine,

   Daisy of Nullagine,

   Who unaided resolutely

   Dared to challenge slavery.

Tall Daisy Bindi, she rode like a man,

Mustering and stockwork from when dawn began,

And long chores indoors that made life bleak

Year after weary year for nothing a week,

Till Daisy of the stout heart organised her clan

To strike for native justice and the plain rights of man.

1. High praise and honour to

   Daisy of the Noongahs who

   Fought and routed tyranny,

   Dared to challenge slavery.

Oh, the boss men threatened and the boss men swore,

They called the police in to help break the law,

And dark men and women were forced and assailed,

For fighting degradation they were bashed and jailed,

But Daisy the militant no man subdued,

Who championed her people out of servitude.