Will You Fight, Will You Dare?

Phyl Lobl



The dreamtime folk are stirring now
They have laid their claim
To a part of the land their fathers roamed
That carries their tribal name

Where Vesty's cattle brands are scored
And stockmans whips are cracked
The dreamtime folk are holding out,
There'll be no going back

Will you fight, will you dare, will you give, will you care
Will you help to mend the wrong?
Will you stand up now for the dreamtime folk
By joining their freedom song

Where the muddy Murray's waters pour
Where tomatoes rule the weed
And the dreamtime folk that planted them
Have seen where the road could lead

They could leave behind the pickers' hats
They could leave the fringe of the town
They could take their place in this lucky land
If you let them, then they can.

Will you fight, will you dare, will you give, will you care
Will you help to mend the wrong?
Will you stand up now for the dreamtime folk
By joining their freedom song

Do they have to reach some famous height
Before you let them grow?
Will you shelter first the tall gumtree
Or spring-flowers from the snow

Well the plant is young, but the plant will grow
And its fruit will sweeten the tongue
Of the dreamtime folk whose bitter bread
Has choked their freedom song

Will you fight, will you dare, will you give, will you care
Will you help to mend the wrong?
Will you stand up now for the dreamtime folk
By joining their freedom song


The Wave Hill walk-off was a significant event in the assertion of the rights of Australia's aboriginal people. This song from Phyl Lobl's Bronzewing album