Formed by singer-songwriter Shane Howard in the late 1970s, they produced three full albums, and a very rare four song EP. The original name of the band was "The Goanna Band", which was the name used on the EP release in 1979. However, the original name was soon shortened to "Goanna" by the time that the album Spirit of Place was released in the early 1980s.
Goanna's debut album Spirit of Place won the ARIA Best Album of the Year for 1982, with their first major hit, "Solid Rock", winning Best Single of the Year. This song touched on the displacement of aboriginal tribes by the encroaching European settlers. It became a worldwide hit, and was the first rock record to feature extensive use of an Australian didgeridoo, one of the world's oldest wood instruments. Goanna also recorded "Let the Franklin Flow", a song about the ecological damage caused by damming Tasmania's Franklin River for hydroelectricity, and "Sorry", a song about Australia's stolen generation of aborigines.
Shane Howard and his bandmates, including sister Marcia Howard and friend Rose Bygrave, have all recorded solo projects in addition to their time in Goanna.
The members of the group do not rule out future Goanna recordings and have never officially disbanded. The 1998 album "Spirit Returns" is reportedly a result of the group's members desire to "get together" again and make a musical statement.
In October 2006, a number of Goanna's songs have been featured in the Triple M Essential 2006 Countdown of songs (which was voted and chosen by the listeners).
Children of the Southern Land
Goanna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't need to cry
Children of the Southern Land
See that mornin' sky
People of the Western World
Hang yr' head 'nd cry
People of the Western World
(and she's way too high)
(comin' down)
Look across the Western plains
See the danger there
They'll take yr' land, then take yr' soul
'Nd leave you with despair
(Who's gonna' care?)
Everyone's got big ideas
About which way to turn
They're hangin' on to their piece of ground
They've got nowhere to run
But Children of the Southern Land
You don't need to cry
Children of the Southern Land
See that morning sky
(see that morning sky!)
Listen for the drummer's beat
- Hear the bugle call
But hold on to what you've got
- Let the eagle fall (let it fall!)
Children of the Southern Land
Yr' days are passin' by
Children of the Southern Land
See that morning cry...
(see the mornin' cry!)
Bring it back to the land
Give it back to the land
You've got a child in yr' hand
Bring it back...
Goin' out in search of the wide, brown land
Comin' back with more than dust in our hands...
Goanna's song "Children of the Southern Land" is a poignant protest song that expresses the plight of the Aboriginal people in Australia. The opening lines of the song, "Children of the Southern Land, you don't need to cry, Children of the Southern Land, see that morning sky" sets the tone for the rest of the piece. It is a message of hope for the Aboriginal people who have been oppressed and marginalized by the Western world for centuries. The song juxtaposes the People of the Western World with the Children of the Southern Land, portraying a stark contrast between two vastly different cultures.
The People of the Western World are portrayed as selfish, ignorant, and helpless in the face of their own problems. They are "hanging on to their piece of ground" and have "nowhere to run." In contrast, the Children of the Southern Land are presented as strong, resilient, and connected to the land. The song urges them to hold on to what they have and see the beauty in their surroundings.
Furthermore, the song highlights the danger faced by the Aboriginal people and emphasizes the need to preserve their culture and way of life. The line, "They'll take yr' land, then take yr' soul 'nd leave you with despair" suggests that the Western world has taken everything from the Aboriginal people, leaving them with nothing but despair. The song then goes on to call for a return to the land and the importance of passing on traditions to future generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Children of the Southern Land
Addressing the people of the southern land specifically
You don't need to cry
There's no reason for sadness or despair
See that mornin' sky
Draw attention to the beauty of a new day
People of the Western World
Addressing the people of the western world specifically
Hang yr' head 'nd cry
Expressing that they should feel shame or remorse
You let the eagle fly
Metaphor for losing control and letting power rise
(and she's way too high)
Elaborating on the extent of the issue, of no longer having control
(comin' down)
Foreshadowing the inevitable downfall or consequences
Look across the Western plains
Encouraging to survey the situation
See the danger there
Acknowledging the threat present
They'll take yr' land, then take yr' soul
Outlining the consequences for people who don't act or take measures
'Nd leave you with despair
Describing a feeling of hopelessness and emptiness
(Who's gonna' care?)
Asking a rhetorical question that implies nobody will step in
Everyone's got big ideas
Emphasizing the various ideas and opinions people have
About which way to turn
Referring to the decision on best course of action to take
They're hangin' on to their piece of ground
Indicating people are only concerned with their individual interest
They've got nowhere to run
Suggesting they'll hit a wall if they hold on to their present course
Yr' days are passin' by
Pointing out that time is ticking
(see the mornin' cry!)
Metaphor of the morning being sad or gloomy
Listen for the drummer's beat
Calling for attention to take action
- Hear the bugle call
Invoking an image of war cries
But hold on to what you've got
Proposing not to give up what still hold value
- Let the eagle fall (let it fall!)
Suggesting to allow natural progression of things to ensue, even if that means initial discomfort or downfall
Bring it back to the land
Reversing the trends of destruction impacted the land
Give it back to the land
Urging changes to return a healthy balance
You've got a child in yr' hand
Metaphor of the future generation being in one's care
Goin' out in search of the wide, brown land
Describing the quest to find a new way forward
Comin' back with more than dust in our hands...
Anticipating success and the promise of a bright future
Writer(s): howard
Contributed by Kennedy H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.