Union Songs
Wage justice
A poem by John Tomlinson©John Tomlinson 2006
Queensland built on racist hate.
Stolen wages built this state.
The good news is it’s not too late
justice doesn’t have to wait.
From Aurukun to old Mapoon
from Lockhart with a broken heart
from Bamaga and an old guitar
to Palm and a worn out psalm
work was done till the setting sun
rations paid and housemaids laid.
Where did the wages go?
Where did the wages go?
From Woorabinda to Babinda
Cherbourg then dry as a cinder
long days work, long hungry nights
local shows: Jimmy Sharman fights.
Little to know and less to show
just a curse: the protector’s blow.
Where did the pensions go?
Where did the pensions go?
Bosses said they’d sent money home
may as well have sent it to Rome.
Forced to work all night and day
just for rations; there was no pay.
I’m wondering now why it was so
how could protectors take our dough?
Where did the child endowment go?
Where did the child endowment go?
Queensland built on racist hate.
Stolen wages built this state.
The good news is it’s not too late
justice doesn’t have to wait.
Notes
Many thanks to John Tomlinson for permission to add this poem to the Union Songs collection.
union songs..........a selection by mark gregory