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Look up, my people, the dawn is breaking The world is waking To a bright new day When none defame us No restriction tame us Nor colour shame us Nor sneer dismay.
Now brood no more On the years behind you The hope assigned you Shall the past replace When a juster justice Grown stronger Points the bone no longer At a darker race.
So long we waited Bound and frustrated Till hate be hated And caste deposed Now light shall guide us No goal denied us And all doors open That long were closed.
See plain the promise Dark freedom-lover! Night's nearly over And though long the climb New rights will greet us New mateship meet us And joy complete us In our new Dream Time.
To our fathers' fathers The pain, the sorrow; To our children's children the glad tomorrow.
Content Analysis
"A Song of Hope" is a powerful poem by Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker), a prominent Aboriginal Australian poet and activist. It serves as a call to action and a source of inspiration for Indigenous Australians. The poem's central message is that despite past injustices and suffering, a new era of equality and respect is dawning. It encourages Indigenous people to stop dwelling on past "dismay" and "sorrow" and instead look forward with optimism to a time of "juster justice." Noonuccal uses vivid imagery, contrasting the darkness of the past with the light of a new day. She celebrates the resilience of her people and looks forward to a future where their culture is honored in a new "Dream Time." The poem's hopeful and determined tone makes it a rallying cry for freedom, unity, and a better "tomorrow" for generations to come.
- Hope – Strong optimism for the future of Indigenous Australians.
- Justice and Equality – Calls for fairness and equal rights.
- Reconciliation – Envisions unity beyond hate and caste.
- Resilience – Honors the perseverance of Aboriginal people.
Metaphor: "'The dawn is breaking' is a metaphor for a new era of freedom and recognition for her people."
Repetition: "The repetition of 'my people' and 'the world' creates a sense of collective purpose and audience."
About the Author
Oodgeroo Noonuccal (born Kathleen Ruska, later Kath Walker; 1920-1993) was an Aboriginal Australian political activist, artist, and poet. She was a campaigner for Aboriginal rights and one of the first Aboriginal Australians to publish a book of verse.
Writing Style: Her poetry is direct, powerful, and often written as a call to action. It uses simple language to convey profound messages of hope, protest, and pride.
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