Paul Kelly - Special Treatment lyrics

Grandfather walked this land in chains A land he called his own He was given another name And taken into town He got special treatment Special treatment Very special treatment My father worked a twelve hour day As a stockman on the station The very same work, but not the same pay As his white companions He got special treatment Special treatment Very special treatment Mother and father loved each other well but together they could not stay they were split up against their will until their dying day They got special treatment Special treatment Very special treatment Mama gave birth to a stranger's child A child she called her own Strangers came and took away that child To a stranger's home She got special treatment Special treatment Very special treatment I never spoke my mother's tongue I never knew my name I never learnt the songs she sung I was raised in shame I got special treatment Special treatment Very special treatment Yeah we got special treatment Special treatment Very special treatment