From the recording Demon Station
This song was once banned on the radio in South Africa!
It is a protest song that challenges racial inequality and calls for unity and human rights. The lyrics criticize the idea that a white person's birthright gives them superiority, highlighting that people are inherently equal. It emphasizes the suffering of those who died for freedom and the struggles of "Third World children" in townships. The song urges a change in mindset, equal sharing, and a united front of "Black and White" to bring about positive change in the "Far Country."
Lyrics
I COME FROM A FAR COUNTRY ACROSS THE SEA
WHERE THE WHITE MAN BELIEVED THE FEW COULD RULE THE MANY
CATCH A WAKE UP QUICK BOY
YOU WEAR YOUR MAKE UP TOO THICK BOY
DO YOU WANT TO REPEAT THE PAGES OF BLOODY HISTORY
IT’S JUST BY CHANCE THAT YOU’RE A WHITE BOY
DON’T GIVE YOU NO RIGHT TO DO WHAT YOU DO
I COME FROM A FAR COUNTRY ACROSS THE SEA
WHERE PEOPLE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND LIBERTY
WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE BOY
PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE ALL ON THE SAME PAR BOY
CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK AND LEARN TO SHARE EQUALLY
IT’S JUST BY CHANCE THAT YOU’RE A WHITE BOY
DON’T GIVE YOU NO RIGHT TO DO WHAT YOU DO
JOIN THE FIGHT
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
RING THE CHANGES IN THE FAR COUNTRY
AND BLACK AND WHITE
MUST UNITE
RING THE CHANGES IN A FAR COUNTRY
THE THIRD WORLD CHILDREN HAVE ALL GROWN
AND THE BACKSTREETS OF THE TOWNSHIPS ARE ALL THEY’VE KNOWN
WE OWE IT TO THEM TO MAKE THEM FEEL AT HOME
IT’S JUST BY CHANCE YOU WERE BORN A WHITE BOY
DON’T GIVE YOU NO RIGHT TO DO WHAT YOU DO
JOIN THE FIGHT
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
RING THE CHANGES IN THE FAR COUNTRY
AND BLACK AND WHITE
MUST UNITE
RING THE CHANGES IN A FAR COUNTRY
WORDS AND MUSIC BY IAN ALLEN ©