Special Treatment - Paul Kelly, The Messengers

Grandfather walked this land in chains

A land he called his own

He was given another name

And taken into town

He got special treatment

Special treatment

Very special treatment

My father worked a twelve-hour day

As a stockman on the station

The very same work but not the same pay

As his white companions

He got special treatment

Special treatment

Very special treatment

Mother and father loved each other well

But together they could not stay

They were split up against their will

Until their dying day

They got special treatment

Special treatment

Very special treatment

Mama gave birth to a stranger’s child

A child she called her own

Strangers came and took away that child

To a stranger’s home

She got special treatment

Special treatment

Very special treatment

I never spoke my mother’s tongue

I never knew my name

I never learnt the songs she sung

I was raised in shame

I got special treatment

Special treatment

Very special treatment

We got special treatment

Special treatment

Very special treatment