Whose Land is it Anyway?
In another attempt to rectify past transgressions and shed light on injustice, Keith urged the band to write this scathing denouncement of the white man’s treatment of the “savages” in America. The chorus comes from an innocent and possibly confused question posed by Chico during rehearsal, but there is no uncertainty in his delivery. This message will burn in the memory of those responsible – a small measure of retribution, but one long overdue.
Written By: Chico Finn and Keith Christopher
Keith Christopher – Guitar, Drums
Chico Finn – Bass, Keys, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
Dan Finn – Guitar
Rebecca Fram, Dan Finn, Harlo Bray – Backing Vocals
Lyrics:
WHITE MAN MOVED HERE 20 SCORE AGO
SO THEY COULD PRAY TO THE GOD THEY WANT
THE PROBLEM WAS SOMEONE WAS HERE FIRST
DIDN’T THE SAVAGE MAN HAVE ANY RIGHTS?
CHORUS:
THEY HAD NO DEEDS OR PROPERTY LINES
JUST THE KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO SURVIVE
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO GOD GIVEN RIGHTS
NOT FOR THE SAVAGES, JUST FOR THE WHITES
WHOSE LAND IS IT ANYWAY?
HE HUNTED AND GREW HIS OWN FOOD
GUNPOWDER, CLOTHES, AND SHOES WERE ALL NEW
WE GAVE THEM BOOZE AND WARM BLANKETS
THEY TOOK TO THE BOOZE LIKE A MONTH TO A FLAME
BLANKETS WITH POX, TO WHICH THEY WERE NOT IMMUNE
CHORUS
NOW I WALK THIS LAND I CALL MY OWN
WHERE A SAVAGE MAN ONCE HUNTED AND ROAMED
WE BULLIED AND MOVED AND KILLED THEM ALL OFF
NOONE SPEAKS OF THESE FACTS TODAY
HARD TO BELIEVE WE PLAYED A PART IN DARWIN’S LAW
CHORUS
