Then and Now by Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker)
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 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 us to dance and play,
offices now, neon lights no,
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.
Copyright (c) Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker)