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lyrics

We came to you with our hands
out begging for compassion and mercy
first we had to flee
oppression
hunger
and thirst
see there is nothing in your lives like the knives we knew
so don't pretend you understand what we've been through
and now we stand out
in the desolate redness
barbed wire
watchtower
sour soul deadness
they told us this place was paradise
and they left us all alone
You treat us like aliens. Australians aren't known for hospitality
apparently this country has forgotten that humanity is
a quality that binds us all
as though your walls weren't already too tall
but we're here now, and we've earned our place
erase the fallacy that you can judge a man by race
this is our home too, if you object you can leave
cos we're here to stay

We planted a seed
to see if it would grow
we didn't know that it would grow so well
And now we proceed
to reap what we sow
and we show no fear
because we planted that seed

You came at us with your fists up
like it was some kind of invasion
blazing hate speech like being Asian is a criminal act
minimal facts but you made up your mind
Wind up the clockwork soldier
see what fun he can find
You think you've got some right
to feel outraged
but you're wrong, son
the line's already engaged
The people running here are the victims of a system
that stripped them of a wishlist, dissed and then dismissed them
and it's the same system that helps you stay on top
you drank our streams to dust, we break backs for every drop
your life of luxury is what keeps us on our knees
try to wash your hands but you're the god damn disease
Squeeze every cent
as hard as you need
squeeze a little harder and watch the money bleed
there's no point pretending that it's not your problem
the third world's contending you're the ones that robbed them
you're the ones who benefit from someone else's sweat
leeching off the poor, get whatever you can get
preaching that the war is in a world far away
but when it comes to your door you ignore what we say

That seed
to see if it would grow
we didn't know that it would grow so well
And now we proceed
to reap what we sow
and we show no fear
because we planted that seed

We came to you with our hands out
but you tied them behind our backs
tied us down to the tracks
and let the train accelerate
This country's brimming with a new breed of hate
the fatty should be slimming but instead he's gaining weight
half of you lot have got your fingers in your ears
while the rest are out back, sharpening your spears
hit the floor, fell flat, our souls were torn
you lay the welcome mat, but it's made of thorns
Despite all this, we keep our heads high
eyes to that sky, we池e gonna learn to fly again
then when we take off, you shoot us down
but this is our town too, you clowns don't know what you do
who the hell are you to lay down what land we belong to?
See we're strong - this song's a declaration
immigration built this whole damn nation
and we're gonna build it higher

credits

from Etchings and Scratchings, released April 29, 2013
Jonathan Sri, Geoff Wong, Andrew Carter

license

all rights reserved

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about

Rivermouth Brisbane, Australia

Hi, we're Rivermouth
Our vocalist is a cross between a typewriter and a megaphone. Our keyboardist is a classically trained virtuoso mad scientist. Our bassist plays in the Richter scale. Our drummer's great-grandfather was a metronome.

Our music is a blend of spoken word, hip hop, jazz, reggae and excellent chai. Lyrics are critical. We want to tickle cerebra and tug heartstrings simultaneously.
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