We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Modern World

by Peter Vadiveloo

supported by
judysul
judysul thumbnail
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 AUD  or more

     

about

Background information to Modern World.
Indigenous Australians have been living on the continent for around 60,000 years. The arrival of greedy, violent and rapacious British colonists around 230 years ago resulted in thousands of local people being brutally massacred, tortured and raped, and being unlawfully driven from their land. In today's language, it was textbook genocide.

If that wasn't bad enough, indigenous Australians today as a whole find themselves with high imprisonment rates, high mortality rates, high infant death rates, and high drug and alcohol abuse rates. These are typical outcomes for any group of people who have had their land stolen, have undergone systematic attempts to dismantle their culture, and who are expected to survive in a foreign culture underpinned by structural racism.

Despite knowing all this, we non-indigenous people who have enjoyed the prosperity of this country and its resources have failed in our efforts in address indigenous disadvantage - mostly at the level of the politicians. We need to do better, mostly by listening to, and taking advice from, respected indigenous leaders and elders.

Despite what has happened over 230 years, indigenous culture lives on strongly in many parts of Australia. There is so much to learn about, applaud and celebrate in those cultures. We must recognise those wonderful elements and ensure they are able to thrive. A beneficial side-effect of this is that those elements will enormously enhance our culture and sense of identity.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlnUfsIPHNA

lyrics

Verse
Bible in one hand, gun in the other, guess that’s the way it’s done.
No need for reflection or introspection, there’s a country to be taken.

If I want it, I’ll take it, don’t stand in my way, and I’ll get absolution.
A whitewash of lies covers your graves, and there’ll be no exhumation.
(There will be no exhumation)

Verse
60,000 years you may have lived here but now let me show you the right way.
Put a pricetag on everything so you know what it’s worth,
What someone someday will pay.

You know that profit is king, justifies anything,
grab what you can today.
The soil, the trees, the air that we breathe,
Don’t let nature stand in your way,
Don’t let nature stand in your way.

Chorus
Cos this is the modern world,
This is the modern world,
Modern world,
This is my modern world,
The civilised world,
Yeah this is my civilised world.

Verse
Blue sky outside, life is so good, this is the lucky country,
Lucky for you that we came along,
lucky for you, lucky for me.

And if I listen closely I can hear the tears caused by 230 years of theft under my feet.
Will I do something about it, or just keep mowing my lawns so they look nice and neat.
Yeah so they look nice and neat
We like everything so nice and..

Chorus
Modern world,
This is the modern world,
Modern world,
This is my modern world,
The civilised world.
Yeah this is the civilised world,
Australian flag unfurled,
Yeah this is the civilised world.
Terra Nullius,
Terra Nullius,
Terra Nullius.
The civilised world.

credits

released June 15, 2020
Composed, performed and produced by Peter Vadiveloo.

Aboriginal Flag Design: Harold Thomas, 1971

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Peter Vadiveloo image

Peter Vadiveloo Melbourne, Australia

Captivating indie-folk singer/songwriter Peter Vadiveloo invites you to think about the world in new ways.
Peter's songs are largely social commentary, and cover topics such as climate change, wealth inequity, the environment, western democracy, indigenous rights, refugees and sometimes even love!
Peter has a huge voice, is a fine guitarist and an outstanding percussionist. Enjoy! ... more

contact / help

Contact Peter Vadiveloo

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Peter Vadiveloo, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now