Song #57 Out on the Ocean

 

 

OUT ON THE OCEAN

 

There’s a wind out on the ocean

There’s a breeze that comes from far away

And ‘cos we live here in Australia

We know the air is fit to breathe

 

CHORUS

And what are you gonna do?

To make sure it stays that way?

What are you gonna do?

 

There’s a land across the ocean

Where people suffer and stand in line

Wait their turn just to come here

For they’ve heard this land is golden

 

CHORUS

 

But you gotta have love in your heart

There’s gotta be someone to hold

But you gotta have love in your heart

There’s gotta be someone to hold

 

What if you knew that out on the ocean

There’s someone coming here for you

She’s got brown skin and she’s from your dreams

She loves your child and wants to hold you

 

What are you gonna do?

To make sure that she will stay?

What are you gonna do?

 

(M Coghlan 1990)

 

Commentary

I don’t know what promoted this song. But with the current sad reality of offshore detention centres and temporary protection visas it seems eerily prescient. I don’t remember how it went either. Perhaps it’s waiting for a new tune …..