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The Block Rox! - Lyrics By Kaiyu Bayles
 
(dedicated to the families past n present of Redfern Oz)

Holden Street's where my family began,
Nan hiding under the bed
From the devil man.
Mum fought her way through,
No one had it easy I knew.
Cards was the go, though
But no takin things slow. though
The Railway View, The Clifton, The Empress.
Kooris here dress to impress.
We got style,
Leave Paris in denial.
And our love is strong
Kisses and cuddles are long.
Don't mess around
Or the block will come down
Around
You!

(Language)


CHORUS:
The Block rox!
We been here too long,
We too strong!
Your plans are no good
Wantin the block to look good.
No rain's goin to come,
Once development's begun.

The Block Rox!
The Block Rox!
The Block Rox!
Mix it up, fix it up,
Don't mess it up!


From Newcastle, Mooli, n Cowra
To Walgett, Moori n Cumra!
We'll be gatherin till eternity
And now it's up to you and me!
To give the men a hand
Help with em a plan
Culture centre & Sports centre, we a solid community.
Let's get it together true Redfern unity
All the block babies, warriors, soldiers,
Everyone knows now cause we told em.
Hold up ya hands if ya care!
N scream I'm there
(I'm there)
I Care
(I care)
If that qualified as a petition
The world would listen.

Since the beginning of their visiting
We been holdin em out – resisting.
Pemulway, Tedbury,
They showed the way!
Uncle Doug, Uncle Ken n Uncle Max,
They knew not to be too relaxed.
Like the Redfern All Blacks
Keep the ball in motion,
Just like a rolling ocean.
Truth is always the potion,
Let's move this notion.

The Block Rox!

(language)

CHORUS

Forget the Harbour Bridge, Centrepoint, The Rocks,
Bondi & Darling Harbour - the Block Rox!
What a sad day
That one in Botany Bay.
So called brutes and Terranullias.
You fullas shamed your king and yourselves,
Changing paradise into a colony.
Forgetting along the way, humanities.
But now we strong and each one of us is free.
Hardened by misery.
Cause today the top dogs
Still bring in the top rocks.
But no matter what
The Block will always Rock!
Yes its the black heart,
Redfern was the very start,
Of many things, great.
A late congrats to all who'd congregate,
for our communities, our race.
FACTSIA, Activists,
With all the mad tactics
Medical centre and childcare.
Still on the Block we always share.
For the work you do,
We all thank you Uncle Shane, Aunty Ali n all the mob that rallies
Together for Redfern, it's your turn
to sing:

The Block Rox!
The Block Rox!
The Block Rox!

CHORUS

To the whole Redfern family,
U a big part of me.
Specially those we've lost.
And we'll never lose the block!
No sellin off
To no yuppee lot
I oppose any notion
That goes against the grain of the people n the emotion.
I hope this message travels across the land,
All hear it, Koori woman and man.
The block’s still under threat,
They tryin to knock it down n attack it with bricks and cement.
Is any body available – (to comment?)
Whose liable,
When the grandchildren come to gather
And there's not even a shadow.
To remind them of the times,
All the years, all the people gone by?
All the years Redfern shines,
Always so fresh in my heart and mind.
I'm one to put a stop to, well start…
We can't be sold out by no retard.
No disrespect.
No harm meant.
Be accountable,
Don't let it fall!
I can't ,,, it's where I learnt to crawl!
N people there changed my nappy…
The block is where we're all happy!

Cause

The Block Rox!
The Block Rox!
The Block Rox!
The Block Rox!
The Block Rox!
The Block Rox!

(language)

CHORUS:
The Block rox!
We been here too long,
We too strong!
Your plans are no good
Wantin the block to look good.
No rain's goin to come,
Once development's begun.

The Block Rox!
The Block Rox!
The Block Rox!
Mix it up, fix it up,
Don't mess it up!
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