Roach survived a turbulent upbringing to develop into a powerful voice for Indigenous Australia, a storyteller in the tradition of his ancestors, and a nationally popular and respected artist.
Roach first became known for the song "Took the Children Away", which featured on his debut solo album, Charcoal Lane, in 1990. He toured around the globe, headlining and opening shows for Joan Armatrading, Bob Dylan, Billy Bragg, Tracy Chapman, Suzanne Vega and Patti Smith. His work has been recognised by numerous nominations and awards, including a Deadly Award for a "Lifetime Contribution to Healing the Stolen Generations" in 2013.
In 2015, Roach was honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours list as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to music as a singer-songwriter, guitarist and a prominent supporter of social justice.
At the 2020 ARIA Music Awards on 25 November 2020, Roach was inducted into their hall of fame.
Beautiful Child
Archie Roach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My beautiful child
The brightest of stars
Couldn't match us with smiles
But he grew up too soon
From beyond your young years
Now all that reminds
You were always divine
And they put you through houndhell
And they locked you away
In a dark lonely cell
But you weren't really bad (bade)
Just a little bit wild
Now they'll hound you no more
Oh my beautiful child
Dun dun din dun dun ohhhohhhohh
Beautiful beautiful child
Now you are free
Free from this heart aching pain and mesuree (mes-ooh-rhee)
We're never no more body that day
Some said you smile
And I wish I was with you right now
My beautiful child
You've been locked up before
But you've always came back
With your hands held high
And so be prepped to be glad
But the last time they came
How could i have known
When they took you away
That you never come home
Yet they pushed you around
But his skin wasn't white
And although you were gentle
You learn't how to fight
And you fought all your life
No you didn't fail
But you deserve better
Than to die on someday
Ooh
Beautiful beautiful child
Now you oh free
Free from this heart aching pain and mes-oooh-rheeeee
We're never no more body that day
Some said you smarrr
And I wish I was with you right now
My beautiful child
And I wish I was with you right now
My beautiful child
The song "Beautiful Child" by Archie Roach is a touching tribute to a loved one who has passed away. The lyrics express the pain of losing a special person who was wrongfully imprisoned and suffered greatly. The singer remembers the youth and beauty of the person, who was "always divine," and mourns the loss of their presence in his life. The lyrics are full of emotion, as the singer reflects on the life of his loved one and the injustice that took him away.
The first verse of the song establishes the beauty and brightness of the person, who is described as a "beautiful child" and a star that shines with a dazzling smile. However, as the verse progresses, it becomes clear that something went tragically wrong in their life. The line "he grew up too soon" implies that they were forced to mature and face adult challenges before they were ready. The reference to "being locked away in a dark, lonely cell" indicates that they were sentenced to prison, and the singer describes them as being "put through houndhell," suggesting that they were treated cruelly by the system.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "beautiful child" and expresses the singer's regret at not being able to be with the person anymore. He notes that they are "free from this heart aching pain and mesuree," which perhaps refers to their release from life's hardships through death. The song continues to explore the tragedy of the person's life and their resilience through it all. The final lines express the singer's sadness at the loss of the person, who he wishes could be with him once again.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my beautiful child
The singer is addressing their child in a loving manner.
My beautiful child
The singer continues addressing their child with endearment.
The brightest of stars
The child is compared to an astronomical object, indicating their brilliance.
Couldn't match us with smiles
The child's smile is brighter than the stars, emphasizing their joyous nature.
But he grew up too soon
The child had to mature prematurely, facing adversity at a young age.
From beyond your young years
The child had to face challenges that were beyond what would be expected at their age.
Now all that reminds
The only thing left of the child is their memory.
Is your memory indeed
The child's memory is the only thing left to hold onto to remember them by.
You were always divine
The child was always special and unique.
And they put you through houndhell
The child was put through a terrible ordeal and suffered greatly.
And they locked you away
The child was imprisoned and taken away from their loved ones.
In a dark lonely cell
The child was kept in a place of isolation and despair.
But you weren't really bad (bade)
The child was not inherently evil, despite being treated as such.
Just a little bit wild
The child was simply adventurous and daring.
Now they'll hound you no more
The child is free from the torment inflicted upon them by others.
Beautiful beautiful child
The artist still loves and admires their child, despite their circumstances.
Now you are free
The child is now free from their suffering and pain.
Free from this heart aching pain and mesuree (mes-ooh-rhee)
The child is free from the emotional agony they experienced and from being measured by societal standards.
We're never no more body that day
The child's body will no longer suffer the injustices they faced in life.
Some said you smile
The child's joyful demeanor and positive attitude were noticed by others.
And I wish I was with you right now
The artist wishes to be with their child again.
You've been locked up before
The child had been imprisoned in the past.
But you've always came back
The child had faced challenges before, but had always returned to their loved ones.
With your hands held high
The child was determined and resilient throughout their struggles.
And so be prepped to be glad
Despite the hardships the child faced, they were still able to find joy and happiness.
But the last time they came
The last time the child was taken away and imprisoned.
How could i have known
The singer did not anticipate that it would be the last time they saw their child.
When they took you away
The child was taken from their loved ones by others.
That you never come home
The child was never able to return to their life and loved ones.
Yet they pushed you around
The child was mistreated and abused by others.
But his skin wasn't white
The child's skin color was a factor in the discrimination and mistreatment they faced.
And although you were gentle
Despite the hardship the child faced, they remained kind and gentle.
You learn't how to fight
The child had to learn how to stand up for themselves and fight against unjust treatment.
And you fought all your life
The child had to fight against discrimination and hardship throughout their entire life.
No you didn't fail
The child did not fail, despite the obstacles that were placed in their path.
But you deserve better
The child deserved better treatment and a better life than what they experienced.
Than to die on someday
The child's life ended tragically, which was undeserved given their circumstances.
Writer(s): Archie Roach
Contributed by Tyler R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.