On Saturday morning, one was gone, on Sunday it was two

None could outrun the men, so all that were left were a few.

As the wind whistled past my ears, my mother’s voice rang out,

“Keep my little gumtrees safe, protect them from doubt”.

 

Into the bushes we leapt, following the pathway, step by step

Over the fence and into the water, the men came after us,

Ready for slaughter.

 

I wanted to fight, I wanted to flee, but all I could see were my little gumtrees.

My little gumtrees, always tall and fair, suddenly crying, small and bare

My little gumtrees plea, “Won’t you please help me”?

 

Long live my little gumtrees

 

When the gumtrees fell, the men cried out

“Long live us, we shall laugh and shout”

This is the story my auntie would tell

About the day that the little gumtrees fell

 

But the gumtree tale will live on

We shall forgive those that have done all wrong

Through our stories and through our art

Through our children and through our heart

 

Long live my little gumtrees