MIDNIGHT OIL – “BEDS ARE BURNING”
Out where the river broke
The bloodwood and the desert oak
Holden wrecks and boiling diesels
Steam in forty five degrees
The time has come
To say fair's fair
To pay the rent
To pay our share
The time has come
A fact's a fact
It belongs to them
Let's give it back
How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning
How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning
The time has come to say fairs fair
to pay the rent, now to pay our share
Four wheels scare the cockatoos
From Kintore East to Yuendemu
The western desert lives and breathes
In forty five degrees
The time has come
To say fair's fair
To pay the rent
To pay our share
The time has come
A fact's a fact
It belongs to them
Let's give it back
How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning
How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning
The time has come to say fair's fair
To pay the rent, now to pay our share
The time has come, a fact's a fact
It belongs to them, let's give it back
How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep while our beds are burning
"Beds Are Burning" is a political song about giving native Australian lands back to the Pintupi, who were among the very last people to come in from the desert. These 'last contact' people began moving from the Gibson Desert to settlements and missions in the 1930s. More were forcibly moved during the 1950s and 1960s to the Papunya settlement. In 1981 they left to return to their own country and established the Kintore community which is nestled in the picturesque Kintore Ranges, surrounded by Mulga and Spinifex country. It is now a thriving little community with a population of about 400.
Before watching the video
a. In your groups, discuss the lyrics of the song “Beds are Burning” by Midnight Oil.
b. Each member of your group will be expected to write down a response to each of the following questions (in point form).
1. “The time has come…..” – The time has come for what?
2. “How can we dance while the earth is turning”… Doesn’t the earth always turn? Why then, is it a problem to dance?
3. “How can we sleep while our beds are burning” – Who can sleep in fire? Does this mean our bodies have been shielded against the fire by some supernatural force? Or, does this lyric mean something else?
4. “…. to pay the rent, to pay our share” – Who is paying rent for what? Who are we paying rent to? Or, do you think these lyrics mean something else?
After Watching your Music Video
a. In your groups, discuss the following questions. For some of these questions, you’ll be asked to review what you’ve already discussed. Perhaps you’ll want to change your answers now that you’ve seen the video.
b. Each member of your group will be expected to write down a response to each of the following questions (in point form).
BIG HINT
At the very beginning and the half way point of this video, there is an image of a person’s silhouette with phosphorescent paint dancing in a black background.
5. What do you think is the significance of this image?
5. Revisit each question 1 to 4. Add or edit your answers after having watched the video “Beds are Burning” by Midnight Oil.
Final Thoughts
Your teacher will now read to you the background information of the song, “Beds are Burning” by Midnight oil. In the space provided, write a reflection about what you have read, seen, and heard.
Here are some questions to help guide your response. You do not need to answer these questions.
Did you interpretation of this song change after having experienced it through different mediums (print, video)?
What is the message that Midnight Oil is trying to convey to us?
Do you think they have successfully conveyed this message?
Would you have done anything different in the production of this music video?
(Remember, be as specific and thorough as possible)