Treaty
Yothu Yindi Lyrics
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And I saw it on the television
Back in 1988
All those talking politicians
Words are easy, words are cheap
Much cheaper than our priceless land
But promises can disappear
Just like writing in the sand
Treaty Yeh Treaty Now
Treaty Yeh Treaty Now
Nhima Djatpangarri nhima walangwalang -
Nhe Djatpayatpa nhima gaya nhe-
Matjini.... Yakarray - nhe Djat'pa nhe walang - Gumurrtijararrk Gutjuk -
This land was never given up
This land was never bought and sold
The planting of the Union Jack
Never changed our law at all
Now two rivers run their course
Separated for so long
I'm dreaming of a brighter day
When the waters will be one
Treaty Yeh Treaty Now Treaty Yeh Treaty Now
Treaty Yeh Treaty Now Treaty Yeh Traty Now
Nhima djatpa nhe walang
gumurrtjararrk yawirriny Nhe gaya nhe matjini
Gaya nhe matjini Gaya gaya nhe gaya nhe
Matjini walangwalang Nhema djatpa nhe walang - Nhe gumurrtjarrk nhe ya-
Promises - Disappear - Priceless land - Destiny -
Well I heard it on the Radio - And I saw it on the Television
But promises can be broken Just like writing in the sand
Treaty Yeh
Treaty Now ....
The lyrics of Yothu Yindi's "Treaty" are a powerful statement about the need for justice and reconciliation between Indigenous Australians and the Australian government. The song was written in 1988, the year of Australia's bicentennial celebrations, which marked 200 years of European colonization. The song begins with a critique of politicians who make empty promises, highlighting the fact that their words are "cheap" compared to the value of the land that has been taken from Indigenous people. The chorus calls for a treaty to be signed between Indigenous Australians and the government, symbolizing a formal recognition of the rights and sovereignty of Indigenous people.
The verses of the song provide historical and cultural context for the call for a treaty. The lyrics reference the fact that land was never given up or sold by Indigenous people, and that the planting of the Union Jack did not change traditional Indigenous law. The mention of two rivers that have run separately for a long time speaks to the importance of connection and unification, suggesting that the signing of a treaty would be a step towards achieving this. The use of Indigenous language in the song adds an additional layer of cultural significance and demonstrates the importance of Indigenous language to the Indigenous Australian community.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I heard it on the radio
The singer heard something important on the radio.
And I saw it on the television
The singer also saw something important on television.
Back in 1988
The events described took place in 1988.
All those talking politicians
Politicians were debating an issue.
Words are easy, words are cheap
It's easy to talk about an issue.
Much cheaper than our priceless land
Talking is cheaper than losing valuable land.
But promises can disappear
People can break their promises.
Just like writing in the sand
Promises can be easily forgotten.
Treaty Yeh Treaty Now Treaty Yeh Treaty Now
The chorus urges action and calls for a treaty.
Nhima Djatpangarri nhima walangwalang -
These are Yolngu words that express the idea that the land is valuable and interconnected.
Nhe Djatpayatpa nhima gaya nhe-
More Yolngu words expressing the idea that watercourses are important.
Matjini.... Yakarray - nhe Djat'pa nhe walang - Gumurrtijararrk Gutjuk -
More Yolngu words expressing the idea that people are connected to the land and water.
This land was never given up
The singer believes that their land was never surrendered to others.
This land was never bought and sold
The singer believes that their land was never sold to others.
The planting of the Union Jack
The raising of the British flag on Australian soil.
Never changed our law at all
The artist believes that the British flag didn't override their own laws and traditions.
Now two rivers run their course
Two rivers flow separately, divided by different customs and laws.
Separated for so long
The separation has been ongoing for a long time.
I'm dreaming of a brighter day
The singer hopes for a better future.
When the waters will be one
The artist hopes for unity and shared resources between different peoples.
Treaty Yeh Treaty Now Treaty Yeh Treaty Now Treaty Yeh Treaty Now Treaty Yeh Traty Now
The chorus repeats its call for a treaty and emphasizes urgency.
Nhima djatpa nhe walang gumurrtjararrk yawirriny Nhe gaya nhe matjini Gaya nhe matjini Gaya gaya nhe gaya nhe Matjini walangwalang Nhema djatpa nhe walang - Nhe gumurrtjarrk nhe ya-
More Yolngu words expressing the idea that land and water are deeply intertwined and that people's destinies are linked to them.
Promises - Disappear - Priceless land - Destiny -
This line summarizes the theme of the song, that the fate of the land and its peoples is at stake and promises must be kept.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STUART ADAM KELLAWAY, PAUL MAURICE KELLY, WITIYANA PHILIP MARIKA, MILKAYNGU MUNUNGGURR, CAL STANLEY WILLIAMS, GURRUMUL YUNUPINGU, MANDAWUY BAKAMANA YUNUPINGU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Luis8.2
Well I heard it on the radio
And I saw it on the television
Back in 1988
All those talking politicians
Words are easy, words are cheap
Much cheaper than our priceless land
But promises can disappear
Just like writing in the sand
Treaty Yeh Treaty Now
Treaty Yeh Treaty Now
Nhima Djatpangarri nhima walangwalang -
Nhe Djatpayatpa nhima gaya nhe-
Matjini.... Yakarray - nhe Djat'pa nhe walang - Gumurrtijararrk Gutjuk -
This land was never given up
This land was never bought and sold
The planting of the Union Jack
Never changed our law at all
Now two rivers run their course
Separated for so long
I'm dreaming of a brighter day
When the waters will be one
Treaty Yeh Treaty Now Treaty Yeh Treaty Now
Treaty Yeh Treaty Now Treaty Yeh Traty Now
Nhima djatpa nhe walang
gumurrtjararrk yawirriny Nhe gaya nhe matjini
Gaya nhe matjini Gaya gaya nhe gaya nhe
Matjini walangwalang Nhema djatpa nhe walang - Nhe gumurrtjarrk nhe ya-
Promises - Disappear - Priceless land - Destiny -
Well I heard it on the Radio - And I saw it on the Television
But promises can be broken Just like writing in the sand
Treaty Yeh
Treaty Now ....
@cdg03
Just in case it was doing anyone else’s head in…the lyrics above are not quite right for the 2nd ‘Aboriginal’ verse. It should read:
Nhima gayakaya nhe gaya' nhe
Nhe gaya' nhe marrtjini walangwalang nhe ya
Nhima djatpa nhe walang
Gumurr-djararrk yawirriny'
Nhe gaya' nhe marrtjini gaya' nhe marrtjini Gayakaya nhe gaya' nhe marrtjini walangwalang
Nhima djatpa nhe walang
Gumurr-djararrk nhe yå
@user-eb6ll6wd2r
its difficult isnt it if you not a racist to see racism its confusing its just like why you judging for that just a person get over it (the correct attitude)
thats how everyone starts life and then crazy people fill their heads with shit
the ones that do it they're a bit like the DV people and DV people do it too, one of things they do is they say nasty things about whatever they want to, and whatever is cruel, so they would say things like the aborigines are bad people, they are inbred and so on and so on. and its all about them and how they feel small and horrible and take it out on everyone else. well what happens is right those people that cop that dv they might not be allowed to get an education and thats because the dv people control EVERYTHING and then they are mind controlled by the DV bully and their head gets told lie after lie
and then they one day figure out just how mean that bully was
they even got their victim to think they were the bully
thats how it works
so theres this racist people in australia how many of them are in DV
and is it not the case all the lies we all got told and still get told are like DV because its a mind control story they want out mind controlled for their interests
like the sick game about the referendum you not a racist if you vote yes or no
you are a racist if you choose it because you think black people deserve less than other people
if you chose NO because it ISN'T a treaty and a treaty is deserved by everyone not just the mob then you are SMART because if they are doing emotional manipulation not the real thing then it is DV all over again
racism is DV
because the planet is our home
so wherever we go we are home
and that means every race is our housemates
if you bully them you bully your housemates xxxx
@brownkiddy77
When he sings it in his language gives me goosebumps, so much soul. Very good! 👍🏽🤙🏽
@smurfylee
That part is haunting and powerful!!! 👍🏽
@jimmyjams9048
@@smurfylee Planting of the Union Jack... our wars will never be won- my history is in solidarity with all first nations mob
@honahwikeepa2115
We call it wairua in Maori. Unseen expressed in the flesh.
@jimmyjams9048
@@honahwikeepa2115 is Aeteroa the official name of the north and south islands
@jaysheeze
touches you deep inside, the history, the old ways of the land
@aidendillion9
As Tasmania aboriginal I am proud to be aboriginal and it doesnt matter if ur aboriginal or not this song hit most people
@user-eb6ll6wd2r
amen
@JOHN_AND_PETA2751
Yes
@paulwalker853
As me,thanks.