Munjana

Times were hard in old Swan Hill
And her circumstances got harder still
The only thing this woman ever knew was pain
It seemed she’d never know sweet happiness again
Kicked around, treated bad
It’s not right for one so young to be so sad
A koori child should not have had this cross to bear
It makes me wonder if anybody really cares
Troubled woman is your name
Through no fault of yours it seems you always got the blame
And an old man’s voice calls from afar

Who will shed a tear for Munjana?

Fond memories of Moulamein
The only happy times her family had seen
Wishing that those happy times would never end
With Uncle John who at the time was their best friend
But this young girl just couldn’t win
She got in to trouble in Deniliquin
Had a lovely child way down in old Fitzroy
Then the Welfare came and took her baby boy
Baby Russell was his name
They took him from her arms and made her feel ashamed
Took him away to America

Who will shed a tear for Munjana?

They changed his name and changed his home
While he was growing up he always felt alone
And through the years his history remained untold
He questioned why so they kicked him out at 12 years old
He was on the streets for many years
No-one ever knew his pain or saw his tears
He took to using drugs and booze just to escape
Then one night they arrested him for murder and rape
Troubled woman, troubled man
Doesn’t anybody out there give a damn?
And an old man’s voice calls from afar

Who will shed a tear for Munjana?

His one true mother who’d searched in vain
For her son she never thought she’d see again
She received a phone call from Florida
They found her son and more bad news for Munjana
Hello Russell, this is your mother calling
Please forgive me I can’t stop the tears from falling
You come from this land and sun above
And always remember the strength of your mother’s love
They took you there when you were five
Now you’re in some jail trying to survive
And if the truth be told when all have testified
Another crime committed here was genocide
Troubled woman is your name
Through no fault of yours it seemed you always got the blame
And an old man’s voice calls from afar

Who will shed a tear for Munjana?
Who will shed a tear for Munjana?