I was nearly taken away twice. First time from my aboriginal mother. Second time after my white adopted mother died when I was eight. But my white dad, who she had married later in life, fought for us so they wouldn’t take us away. He was so poor but he did everything he could to adopt us so he could keep “his” kids. He never let me down once in my life. Greatest kindest quietest man I ever had the privilege of being his son. I’ve since met my real family and I’m a grateful Wiradjuri man and a Whitney
Wow. What a powerful song! My partner is a proud Bunjalung man. His father was picked up off the Streets of Sydney by police (when he was just a child) and put into a boy’s home. His family, his culture, and his identity were stripped from him. He went through terrible abuse in the boy’s home. Just like this song says, when he was old enough “he came home” (i.e. the children came home). The trauma he experienced growing up affected him for life. Being a child of the 80’s, I grew up knowing nothing about “The stolen generation”. Now I think - “How wrong could we as a nation have gotten things?” Why was there not more respect shown towards our First Nations people? We should have done better! We need to do better!
I homeschool my six year daughter and when telling her about our ancestors history, the horrified look on her little face and her words were powerful “That’s so mean - why did they do that Mummy?” My answer - “I don’t know honey, I don’t know” and then we both cried for those children. 🙏🏼
They took away white children too. The same policies were applied to all. Kids who were at risk from abuse or neglect were removed. Unfortunately, we Aboriginals had more problems as a group. We are told in the media to this day that we have more problems, so it cannot be denied. Removal of children, black or white, still occurs in our time on a smaller scale. We may now think past policies could have been better, but they were applied to all. "Stolen Generation" implies the policies were only applied to us Aboriginals, but the evidence shows we had, and still have, more problems. As Jacinta Price says, who cares if the family they went to were black or white, as long as they were given a better life.
Very nice yes a beautiful contribution from archi dearly missed his message will sing along for ever that how music so special make a man last for eternity rip big fella
They took away white children too. The same policies were applied to all. Kids who were at risk from abuse or neglect were removed. Unfortunately, we Aboriginals had more problems as a group. We are told in the media to this day that we have more problems, so it cannot be denied. Removal of children, black or white, still occurs in our time on a smaller scale. We may now think past policies could have been better, but they were applied to all. "Stolen Generation" implies the policies were only applied to us Aboriginals, but the evidence shows we had, and still have, more problems. As Jacinta Price says, who cares if the family they went to were black or white, as long as they were given a better life.
I didn’t know this song was about Australia. I had no idea about this part in Australia’s history I just heard this song for the first time today. They played it on the radio for Canada’s day of reconciliation. In Canada many natives had their children put into residential schools where many (in the hundreds) where killed. A very dark period in my countries history
The pain in this song, the pain in his heart, the pain in his eyes as he sings his truth. It tears at your heart strings and brings tears. Vale Archie Roach … A great Australian, a wonderful story teller and musician. Your legacy will live on. ❤️
I can't listen to this song without crying. My Grandad was stolen from his Grandma. He didn't even remember that he had sisters until they found him when he was twenty. I'll always be grateful to Archie for telling his story - the story of so many Aboriginal people. RIP Archie. You're with Ruby now.
I am not an Aboriginal woman but I am a mother. So many families were torn apart for such a long time in the interest of "assimilation." Three of my children have died from a genetic disease passed down from me, so I know how it feels to lose a child BUT I know where my kids are and how they died. So, so many parents of those stolen kids never ever got to see them again. So many enduring traditional cultures have been destroyed by the superior attitude of white societies world wide. It makes me quiver to admit I am white.
As the white father of three aboriginal children,this song gets me everytime. The fear and rage of that father hits me the hardest,You would have to kill me before i let them take my children. The anguish and pain of the parents,and the fear the children must have experienced.
A great loss. I had a son pass away in 1997. As a mixed race child he felt very deeply when subjected to racism. We played Archie Roach's song "Beautiful Child" at the funeral. Like so much Aboriginal music it is based on raw and powerful direct experience. Had the pleasure of seeing Archie Roach perform at a free concert at St Kilda in June. A great singer song writer.
I first listened to that song whilst driving, I had to pull over as I couldn’t see through my tears. I’m so sorry for you loss. I wish I could’ve had the pleasure to have met Archie Roach, but I feel his presence when I sing and play his songs on my guitar. It’s a truly spiritual experience. 🙏🏼
I have always loved this song from Archie, not just dedicated to our aboriginal folk, but all mistreated and displaced indigenous people, native Americans, Africans, Armenians, Anatolian Greeks etc etc the world must change. Thanks for s great anthem Mr Roach
I had never heard of this man until referred to this video by an Aussie friend. This song is so powerful and poignant, and the content - 'take my children away' - is so similar to what the powers-that-be in the US did to the Native Americans here. They forced parents to let them put their children into 'boarding schools' where the children were denied the right to learn of their heritage, denied the right even to speak their own language. Cruelty to those unlike us is abominable!!! Rest in Peace, Archie. Your work has earned you multiple gold stars in your crown.
I will never forget living next door to Archie, Auntie Ruby, Eben and their family in Berri S.A Was such a privilege to sit and listen to my brothers and sisters music most nights. Miss you all. Scotty
I have never heard this precious song before. I have tears streaming down my face! This is so beautiful. It brings up so much sorrow and regret and despair and I feel it all. Those people were so wrong and so cruel. It was all so bad and so wrong and self serving and so much more that I could say. I am so sorry and I wish the government would make it all part of school, TAFE and University curriculum that the elders and others would come in and teach us about their culture, their beliefs, etc. we should know and we don’t. It is so wrong and such a shameful waste!
I don’t mean token teachings. I mean every day! Every year. Until it is part of each one of us. Knowledge brings understanding, empathy, respect and love and friendship for our fellow men, women and children. Sharing, giving, trust and faith is still weak because we don’t truly understand everything. and trust is weak. Where ever we are from we are all Australian …together. We should know our people. Our first people. They were and are the true guardians of this great place. They kept it pure for us and we have slowly brought it to today’s condition which is good but also not good depending on what and how you look at it.
My mum would sing this to me when I was a baby and young child. Now I sing it to my babies, she was apart of the stolen generation.. ❤ never forget. Walk in dreaming Uncle Archie Roach. Thank you for all of your beautiful songs. Forever I’ll listen, sing and play.
Rest in Peace Archie. I am a migrant to your beautiful country. I am learning all I can as a social work student to assist in community development and healing. Your people are always on my heart. Look down from the stars and see your people reborn and restored. God bless you.
Finally I have the courage to say goodbye. His words ring true even now. A brilliant man who's voice will live on forever. I pay my respects to all of our indigenous past and present. bless him, his voice is perfect.
I have been going to Woodford Folk Festival for some 10 plus years & never had a real Woodford moment until I heard Archie sing this song that really bought me to tears as I related it to being adopted as I am.
I was wandering around the Woodford Folk Festival probably back in the 1980s when I idly walked past a stage where he was singing this - I wasn't paying attention but was surprised to find my face suddenly flooded with tears - what just happened !?!?!?
Archie roach,this man has a beautiful soul ,a man that has been through it all ,one of the stolen generation ,had a stroke and lost his loving partner ruby hunter but he still soldiered on to become who he is now,a great artist and a true legend of Australia's first people ,thank you Archie roach!
Rest with the Ancestors Uncle Archie now you are Reunited with your sweet Love Aunty Ruby, you deserve Peace, you gave so much to so many, we will miss you as will so many your presence was big and there is a big empty space that you filled so well, All our love Forever and Always Phylis and Blossom xxx 😭 ✨🌿👣🖤💛❤👣🌿✨
I have been in deep shock and grief over the very recent discovery of 215 Indigenous children's bodies that were discovered at the Kamloops Residential School here in Canada. It is just over 100 km away from where I live and is a place where many of the Indigenous people in this area were forced to attend. Tonight I somehow came across this man's beautiful messages in song and they are like a balm to my soul...thank you, thank you Archie Roach!
@@gregmacdonald1414 And I'm sad to say that my country Denmark did a similar thing to the indigenous people of Greenland. Happy to have found this. I came to this via the Briggs song and for a long time, I preferred that song to Roach's original, but I got to say that the original song hit me hard this time around.
Ive never heard of this man but seeing his death on the internet has made me wanted to hear his popular song. Now I'm listening to his song and I can just feel good spirit. Reading all these comments is just spirit moving. I'm of samoan race and knowing history has brought many of us closer. I see this song has history and I love that. RIP Archie, may Jehovah comfort your family and friends during this sad time. I'm sure you will be dearly missed by family, friends, and your community. Keep up the spirit! Long live the great people.
Just finishing up reading his autobiography. As a young child I'd heard his name but never really knew his story or explored his music. Sorry I didn't know sooner but so much respect for him. An incredible person, RIP Archie Roach.
Farewell Archie, spokesman for a generation, master storyteller. Thank you for the music, for the history lessons, for telling it like it was and for allowing many of us who knew no different to learn from you.
I listen to this everyday, never forgiving the government ever again. I will never look at the government the same way. Every time I listen to this song I just feel in pain. Imagine what they would've been through.
My Deepest Condolences and Respect to Uncle Archie Roach Family.Last night at the Wollongong NAIDOC Awards I've received news of Uncle Archie passing 😢 May he Rest In Peace 🙏🏾✊🏾 and Fly 🦅High amongst the clouds back to his Dream Time.Thank you Uncle Archie for giving me Hope & Strength through my " Spiritual " Journey.As a Survivor from the Past, you will always be in my twin sister and my heart. 🖤💛❤️
Rest in peace Archie I had the luck to meet you some years ago I was in awe of your singing and the peace surrounding you . My husband Ian a proud Wadawurrung man introduced me to your music . Thank you
Man.. this song hits me hard, you don't know how it feels when your child gets taken away.. I feel bad for the indigenous.. God bless you all :) -With love
This song gets me every time I hear it, my father and his siblings are from the stolen generation and to.this day we don't know our clan, our culture, our language nothing, my sons and I and my future generations will never know our clan. My father and his siblings suffered abuse and cruelty at the hands of the orphanage (the nuns and preists) , my fathers tells of how they beat them and other nasty things they done to them. It angers me and breaks my heart at the same time. R.I.P Mr Roach. ❤💛🖤.
They took away white children too. The same policies were applied to all. Kids who were at risk from abuse or neglect were removed. Unfortunately, we Aboriginals had more problems as a group. We are told in the media to this day that we have more problems, so it cannot be denied. Removal of children, black or white, still occurs in our time on a smaller scale. We may now think past policies could have been better, but they were applied to all. "Stolen Generation" implies the policies were only applied to us Aboriginals, but the evidence shows we had, and still have, more problems. As Jacinta Price says, who cares if the family they went to were black or white, as long as they were given a better life.
tears me up even more, im watching a live thing and archie is sick :( he is still singing with won of thoose... hospital things under his nose :( Im so sad
I'm hoping to hear Archie is doing better now? He is spreading healing to so many with these educating words. Colonialism damaged & killed millions and yet it isn't taught as history.
Rest in peace Archie, you loved your people and your country, we thank you for bringing to light the fact that they took us away from our mother and father, and broke us up as people. I'm one of the stolen generation and today I'm grateful that you were gifted with song. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of yours. Your inspiration is legendary and I for one will be telling my grandchildren of the spiritual man named Archie Roach. R I P beautiful man.❣️
Such a Great piece of Music about such a terrible period in this country's history. Many children need protection from their environment, but not based on colour. RIP
I’m very proud and honestly very grateful that I sing this song in our choir as I’m the lead of it as I also have worked with the indigenous people with my mum god rest her soul and stepdad whom is alive as they worked for over five years in remote indigenous communities up north in Western Australia 🇦🇺 so as I said I’m proud and very sad but grateful Thankyou Archie may you rest in peace
I am a elderly white English woman who was adopted at eight weeks. Ask anyone separated from their family and it is a pain that dominates your life. Thank you Archie for put words to their pain. I wish I had meet you.
They took away white children too. The same policies were applied to all. Kids who were at risk from abuse or neglect were removed. Unfortunately, we Aboriginals had more problems as a group. We are told in the media to this day that we have more problems, so it cannot be denied. Removal of children, black or white, still occurs in our time on a smaller scale. We may now think past policies could have been better, but they were applied to all. "Stolen Generation" implies the policies were only applied to us Aboriginals, but the evidence shows we had, and still have, more problems. As Jacinta Price says, who cares if the family they went to were black or white, as long as they were given a better life.
@@DD-bx8rb the black children were taken away to be gradually become white children. Horrible, as.if white people have been more attractive and intelligent around the World. And the church's that took children their natural mothers were also appalling. Obviously.some.children.who.have drug addicted,.or just indifferent mother's should be helped but in a sensitive way but it is best for children who have mothers who would have loved them to keep them
@@christinagilford8394 The parents were unable to raise them properly, alcohol, malnutrition, unsupervised, sexual abuse and physical abuse. The same policy applied to black and white, alike. As Jacinta Price says, if the safest place for them to go is a white family, safety is what matters. THere was no genocide, no stolen generation. As an aboriginal I want to have a National Thankyou Day to thank Australia for our education, improved health learning English and becoming part of the global community! (haha no chance of that because it doesnt fit Critical Race Theory and the narrative of the evil European Colonisers) Look how far we have come since preEuropean tribal days when the European explorers documented how our women were frequently bashed and our infants left to die without food. It was a very vilolent society of war and domestic violence and we have to come to term with the truth of history instead of dividing everyone.
@@DD-bx8rb you know far more than I do D D. I wasn't even born in Australia and I don't want to.be a bleeding heart but the only thing I do know is the seperation of a mother and her child leaves a dreadful mess. I wish you all the best. Christina
@@christinagilford8394 Hi Christina, in the ideal situation I would agree with you. But we are talking about situations that were not ideal, as in the things I mentioned in my last post. At the end of the day we are all human and part of the human race. I am aware that Critical Race theory seeks to divide us. Many Aboriginal Australians are sick of the division and manipulation.
I should not be sitting here wondering about you when I waited 3 1/2 years for you to get out and be with me we had dreams and plans and your shit in my face get off the drugs and improve your life and No woman will stand by you like I have ever ever ever you have cut me a part even madi said she couldn’t do it doesn’t that make me exceptional? U call me a nutter far from it I wasn’t a nutter when I drove every second week on my government benefit to see u! Short memory Marvan short memory !
This songs makes me cry when I heard this song I felt so sorry for those whos kids got taken away from there mothers and fathers god bless archie roach too deadly😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Growing up listening to this song, and uhh, it has a special place in my heart. Very powerful and touchful song , opened my eyes and many people's eyes to truth.
Goddamn this brings back so many memories to primary school, we covered all these topic and the unfair history of indigenous Australians and Roach was a big part of the unit, bloody legend❤
Rip uncle Archie Roach we will never forget you Love. My mum loves your songs Love you uncle we all will see you in the dreamtime uncle Love from barkindji land. ❤️🖤💛
