Evan Mathieson header

BROTHER JACK

Lyrics and Music: Harry Robertson

Do you know my brother Jack?   How I wish he would come back.
He has gone across the sea — to keep Australia white and free.

Chorus
BUT there’s something bothers me — about this war across the sea
If we killed them all today — would our troubles go away?

He’s in a country called Vietnam — burning people with napalm.
He shoots at wicked men, but then — he sometimes kills women and children.

YES there’s something bothers me — about this war across the sea
If we killed them all today — would our troubles go away?

There wicked men have skins of brown — just like the ones cowboys shoot down.
I know these things because I’ve seen — Vietcong killed on the TV screen.

YES there’s something bothers me — about this war across the sea
If we killed them all today — would our troubles go away?

Why must Jack be made to fear — people far away from here?
Is it true some men have said, “Die young boys, but don’t turn red.” ?

YES there’s something bothers me — about this war across the sea
If we killed them all today — would our troubles go away?

I may be young, you may be old — must we believe what we are told?
That people black or brown or red — who don’t suit us, are better dead?

YES there’s something bothers me — about this war across the sea
If we killed them all today — would our troubles go away?

© Harry Robertson and subsequently ©1995 Mrs Rita Robertson, Brisbane, AUSTRALIA
Registered with APRA/AMCOS www.apra-amcos.com.au