Held up To the Moon In My Grandfather's Hands

Ruby Hunter, April 2004

In 56 when the floods come down
No-one could get in, no-one could get round
Born at a billabong, my father's homeland
Held up to the moon in my grandfather's hands (x2)

I was born premature and they kept me warm
They looked at the fire, grey ashes on the ground
Saw a baby in warm ashes being rubbed down
Like a little rabbit being cooked in the ground (x2)

It's close to the river billabong you see
You cannot use water to wash a newborn down
Grey ashes from the fire, best baby powder round
Held up to the moon in my grandfather's hands (x2)

I was born premature and they kept me warm
They looked at the fire, grey ashes on the ground
Saw a baby in warm ashes being rubbed down
Like a little rabbit being cooked in the ground (x2)