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Natives Tab

by Christy Moore


NATIVES (CHRISTY MOORE)
(starting in )

 

                                   
For all of our languages we can't communicate
                                       
For all of our native tongues we're all natives here
                                  
Sons of their fathers' dream the same dream
                              
The sound of forbidden words becomes a scream
                           
Voices in anger, victims of history
                                                       
Plundered and set aside, grown fat on swallowed pride.

                
                                     
With promises of paradise and gifts of beads and knives
                                      
Missionaries and pioneers are soldiers in disguise
                                 
Saviours and conquerors they make us wait
                                  
The fishers of men they wave their truth like bait
                                             
With the touch of a stranger's hand innocence turns to shame
                                                         
The spirit that dwelt within now sleeps out in the rain.

              
                                   
For all of our languages we can't communicate
                                       
For all of our native tongues we're all natives here
                                 
The scars of the past are slow to disappear
                                
The cries of the dead are always in our ears
                                 
Only the very safe can talk about wrong or right
                                                           
Of those who are forced to choose some will choose to fight
             
                                  
For all of our languages we can't communicate