Lyrics Special Treatment - Paul Kelly, The Messengers

Special Treatment

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
We got special treatment
Special treatment
Very special treatment