50 Words Songtext
von Michael Waugh

In 1901 they passed a law
A fifty word dictation test to keep them from our shore
′Cause we didn't want illiterates or blacks
And if you only wrote in Mandarin, well we′d have to send you back

But it's alright if you're all white
And you can justify your skin in fifty words or less
There′s a mandatory detention if you fail that spelling test

Australia didn′t federate for peace
The colonies united for a threat they feared northwest
And the lynch mob didn't fall far from the tree
We just learned different words for White Australia Policy

And it′s alright if you're all white
And you can justify your skin in fifty words or less
There′s a mandatory detention if you fail that spelling test


Some campaign for sending back the boats
Some look for solutions based on winning back our votes
So we thought we'd meet, let′s sing Australia Fair
For those who've come across the seas with boundless plains to share

And it's alright if you′re all white
And you can justify your skin in fifty words or less
There′s a mandatory detention if you fail that spelling test

And I wonder if the cool remark disguise
Border law and protection from what by people like us
And I wonder if they'd choose to send away
Someone who can′t spell treaty for two hundred years of shame

And it's alright if you′re all white
And if you're looking for asylum, well we′ve got a madhouse here
But it's alright if you're all white
Ah but let′s not call it racist, let′s pretend the laws are clear
But history can't teach us if we don′t advance Australia Fair