G
This story's right, this story's true. I would not tell lies to you.
C G
Like the promises they did not keep, and how they fenced us in like sheep.
Said to us come take our hand, set us up on mission land.
C
Taught us to read, to write and pray.
D G C
Then they took the children away. Took the children away, the children away.
D C
Snatched from their Mothers breast, said this is for the best.
G
Took them away.
G
The welfare man, the police man, said you've got to understand.
C G
We'll give to them what you can't give, teach them how to really live.
Teach them how to live they said, humiliated them instead.
C D
Taught them that and taught them this and others taught them predjudice.
G C
Oh took the children away, the children away.
D C G
Breaking their Mothers heart, tearing us all apart, took them away.
G
One dark day on Framlingham, came and didn't give a damn.
C G
My Mother cried go get their Dad, he came running, fighting mad.
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/a/archie_roach/took_the_children_away_crd.html ]
Mothers tears were falling down, my Dad shaped up and stood his ground.
C
He said "You touch my kids and you fight me".
D G C
Then they took us from our family. Took us away, they took us away.
D C G
Snatched from our Mothers breast, said this was for the best, took us away.
Instumental:
G
Told us what to do and say, taught us all the white mans ways.
C G
Then they split us up again, gave us gifts to ease the pain.
Sent us off to foster homes, as we grew up we felt alone.
C
Cause we were acting white, yet feeling black.
D
One sweet day all the children came back.
G C
The children came back, the children came back.
D C
Back where their hearts grow strong, back where they all belong.
G
The children came back, said the children came back.
C D
Oh the children came back, back where they understand.
C G
back to their Mothers land, the children came back.
G C
Back to their Mother, back to their Father.
G D
Back to their Sister, back to their Brother.
G C
Back to their People, back to THEIR LAND.
G C G
All the children came back, the children came back.
C G D G
Yeah the children came back, yes I came back.
Truly, one of the best songs of all time. I dedicate this to Uncle Ted RIP,
Aunty Carol RIP, Brenda, Tye and Eddie RIP. Comment, correction and/or
rating appreciated. Enjoy!
