Aboriginal Lady

I don’t know how long I can stay here
But I will stay most of the night
Understand me please aboriginal lady
I’ve got to go before the morning light
Don’t know why I must not be seen here
It’s not that I’m ashamed of what we've done
I just might be seen by some acquaintance
I think it might be best if I run

Your skin it hides me like the night-time
There is no light just blackness in your arms
And that is why I run each night from the village
Through the tracks to the aboriginal farms
But listen, please believe me when I tell you
To tell nobody that I hang round here
It’s not because you're so much blacker than I am
But something deep inside of me that I fear

You say I wouldn’t run so from white ladies
You tell me daylight would not bring disgrace
But I am speechless and infatuated
Hating and loving everything in this place
As I leave I say I’m not returning
You say I’ve used that line before
But through the doorway I shout out, This time I mean it!
But I tell myself I’ll come back just once more

1976