Lyrics

Born on Palawa Land

Verse 1
He was born in Tassie at the Queen Vic ward,
Waverley streets were the first he ever walked.
Housing Commission walls, kids runnin’ wild and free,
And the mob next door, they took a shine to him.
Uncle Desi knockin’ off from the Woollen Mills,
They’d sit in a circle as the afternoon fell still.
Creation stories driftin’ through the gum‑tree air,
Port Dalrymple lore laid out with gentle care.

Pre‑Chorus
And Desi’d smile and say, “You’re a black fella, son,”
Words that hit his heart like the settin’ sun.

Chorus
He’s a proud Dunghutti boy on Palawa land,
Raised by stories older than the mountains stand.
When his own four walls felt cold and strange,
Next door gave him love that never changed.
Yeah, he learned who he was from a neighbour’s hand —
A proud Dunghutti boy on Palawa land.

Verse 2
Back home was different, shadows in the hall,
Two parents lost in mirrors, never saw him at all.
His father chasin’ titles in the Masonic line,
His mother driftin’ somewhere he could never find.
He was pushed aside quiet, like he didn’t belong,
Just a boy in the corner tryin’ to stay strong.
But the Gibbons’ place felt warm and bright,
Where a kid like him could sleep easy at night.

Pre‑Chorus
And every time Desi’d say, “You’re a black fella, son,”
It stitched his spirit back together, as one.

Chorus
He’s a proud Dunghutti boy on Palawa land,
Raised by stories older than the mountains stand.
When his own four walls felt cold and strange,
Next door gave him love that never changed.
Yeah, he learned who he was from a neighbour’s hand —
A proud Dunghutti boy on Palawa land.

Bridge
Some kids grow up with open doors,
Some fight just to find the floor.
But every scar became his guide,
Every hurt taught him how to rise.

Verse 3
Now he looks back on that quiet little kid,
Holdin’ on tight to the best days he ever lived.
From Waverley streets to the man he became,
He carried their stories like a steady flame.
And when the world gets heavy, he still hears Desi say,
“Stand tall, my boy, you’ll find your way.”

Final Chorus
He’s a proud Dunghutti boy on Palawa land,
Raised by stories older than the mountains stand.
When his own four walls felt cold and strange,
Next door gave him love that never changed.
Yeah, he walked through fire, but here he stands —
A proud Dunghutti boy on Palawa land.

Outro
From a Housing Commission childhood
To the man he finally became…
He rose from where he started,
And he’s proud to carry his name.

© 2026 Andrew Stephen Dale. All rights reserved.
Unauthorised copying, distribution, or use of these lyrics or musical materials is prohibited.