We've updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Australian Dream

by Philosofree & Optimysts

/
1.
Musician's Prayer 04:11
lyrics
buy track
Supreme composer Forgiving conductor Infusing arranger….. Play me. Play me individually. Play me in your world symphony, So it is played heavenly. Give me notes which give me order. Keep me on the staves, on key. Let me not be silent when it is time to play….. Play me. Play me in tight harmony. Play me in your peace symphony. Remove the thunder from me. When I play off key, or wrongly Restart the practice just for me, And I will patiently repeat the process As others fail to learn or see. Turn up the volume Of worship to noise Lift up our spirits To praise and rejoice….. Play me. Play me instrumentally. Play me in your love symphony. Jesus on solo. Ecstacy!
2.
I'm Going Home 03:51
info
buy track
3.
Thaw Your Heart 05:42
info
buy track
4.
Change 04:13
info
buy track
5.
The Australian Dream 03:52
lyrics
buy track
Hands in the dirt, eyes on the skirt, heart in denial, but true Loving the water, ignoring the scholar, free from a history we flew from fun loving country to war-weary and bloody, and mateship was born in the mud the hope that was seen was the Australian dream, that all of us knew, and we loved. The dream was all people were supposed to be equal I believed it and you know - I still do! You’re the one, you can make it come true, and our future is dependent on you Keep our hope for a dream on the Australian dream, that all of us know, and we love. But since September ‘1, there’s a fear that begun Shown in racism, anger and war, I see poor people cryin, the pollies denying, our innocence dying, unsure And its harder to trust (though our heart says we must), and our history of steel is turnin’ to rust; but we live in pure beauty, consume more than we must while the Australian dream lies dry in the dust. CHORUS We’ve been tough in the past, we’ll be strong from now on Give a hand to the underdog, help mates carry on we’ll show to the world that our people are one An Australian dream, Australian won! It started with fortune, and got worse with fame Then we lost sight of God, and our dream we checked out our losses, despised all our bosses, watched our lives, (like tossers), through a screen In the loss of our culture, loss of mateship and care we’re boat-people who forgot how to share Just constantly rushed, with hearts that are crushed, while the Australian dream lies dry in the dust. CHORUS How can we learn? Can we learn more than earn? Can we value this land as its been? For over the ages the rivers teach pages, and red plains hold time in esteem Let’s be honest to start, we know in our heart that we need all the help we can ask To re-understand God, to accept and love - An Australian dream – reaching out from the past. CHORUS Well its back to the start, Lord give us new heart For our children bring hope and new love Yes our young are the hopeful, and carry the flag with them at the wheel we can look back and brag, of the record of welcome, Of bravery, trust, of a strong sense of oneness, and no time to fuss For we’re painting the sky, holding hands while we try To rebuild what we’ve seen, the Australian dream. CHORUS We’ve been tough in the past, we’ll be strong from now on Give a hand to the underdog, help mates carry on we’ll show to the world that our people are one An Australian dream, Australian won!
6.
Refugees 03:27
lyrics
buy track
“They’ll take away jobs”, say the now unemployed. “and our wives”, say the impotent males “They’ll ruin our culture” is said from the couch of the person whose main joy is sales. And what about fairness? (This comes from a man Who just happens to be firing a friend) They’re refugees, they won’t be accepted While we are scared! And the sad-looking children call out from their bunks In the night when the memories return, And their parents are hollow and hope that just once They can live without fear and concern. Instrumental They are refugees, they’re in danger or worse, Having lost confidence in migration But they’re just people, and it could be you Or your children in harder years to come, oh ooh They’re people, not animals, and it could be you Or your children’s children in the hard years to come Let God make decisions on justification, not us, who are free! And the sad-looking children call out from their bunks In the night when the memories return, And their parents are hollow and hope that just once They can live without fear and concern. Instrumental
7.
Forever Young 03:10
lyrics
buy track
Rain is tapping on the window, perhaps it is you playing a game? I see your photo smiling at me and I remember years ago, when you were not inside that frame. But now? You’re still within my heart. You’ll always stay a part of who I am And I? I think of you each year that passes by, but while I struggle, you no longer have to try, for you will stay; forever young. Forever young out-side of time Forever young inside my mind Forever young I will recall you just like that photo, on the wall. For all of time, you’re still within my heart. You’ll always stay a part of who I am For all of time I’ll think of you each year that passes by, but while I struggle, you no longer have to try, for you will stay; forever young. Forever young out-side of time Forever young inside my mind Forever young I will recall you just like that photo, on the wall.
8.
Alone 04:17
lyrics
buy track
I walk down darkened streets In the dead of night Didn’t have the will to live Didn’t have the will to fight Everywhere I look Everyone seems so alone But I know the answer to this mystery I know the answer The answer is here with me I don’t want to be alone though right now I am This yearning for connection Is it part of some plan To seek love? I so want loving. The answer is here The answer is here with me Out of the greatest misery You will find the greatest love You will find the greatest love
9.
Family 02:23
lyrics
buy track
I've noticed in the hours since you've been gone there's a feeling that I didn't know had grown you mean more to me, the greatest mystery Is my family. As I wander past the empty rooms I try not to wake my little girl but she's away except within my heart where both of you are part of my family. When your plane flies thru the air I pray to God that he'll be there to keep you safe from any danger to bring you both back home to me you're my family I've noticed in the hours since you've been gone there's a feeling that I didn't know had grown you mean more to me, the greatest mystery Is my family.
10.
Amelia Relaxing 02:45
info
buy track

about

A collection of artists who came together to support the Australian Refugee Association.
All the selected songs are written by Philosofree

Video tracks are available on my YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/channel/UCGjK8q0KGoo1hB0aQWxomMA

Social media links: linktr.ee/philosofree
__________________________________________________
The first five were on the original album, other tracks by Philosofree have been added.
________________________
The remaining 7 tracks for the original album were recorded in Australia by a range of artists, some of whom were refugees themselves.
These tracks are
1 Small Wooden Boat (About the sinking of the SIEVX refugee boat with 100 lives lost): Liam Gerner: Courtesy of MixMasters Studio
2 Oceans of Compassion: Alain Valodze, Charmaine Jones
5 Uncommon Unity: Joe DeMaria
6 Beyond the Seas : Sohrab Sepehri, Darioush Araypad
8 Harmony: Ley Huy
9 Morning Light : Lee Pfitzner, Luke Thompson
10 Moonlight and Roses : Angel Easterine Iralu

These 7 great tracks were NOT written by Philosofree and so cannot be published & heard here, but can be heard on the genres page
www.philcheney.com/genres/
Under the tab "World Music" at the bottom.

credits

released May 27, 2003

Produced by Philosofree in Australia

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Philosofree & Optimysts image

Philosofree & Optimysts Toronto, Ontario

Philosofree, Bob Legare, Jeff Lohn, Bob Long, Mi Cha ('Chami') , & Sam Sharkaway are Optimysts!

Philosofree is from Australia, The Bobs and Jeff are Canadian, Sam is from Egypt and Chami is from Japan.

Together they perform an eclectic mix of harmonic songs.

Many other talented musicians from across the world have contributed to our albums, incl: Uli Marquand from Germany & Alain Valodze ... more

contact / help

Contact Philosofree & Optimysts

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Philosofree & Optimysts, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Swedish-born, Berlin-based musician Linnéa Olsson discusses the grimy new Maggot Heart album
listen now