Native Born Albert Namatjira
View chords used in this chart
E A
Albert Namatjira painted not so much the things he saw
E B7
But what he felt inside and how he loved the Flinders Range
E A
The only thing he ever wanted the reason that he painted for
E B7 E
Was that everybody share the dream his land would never change
A
Ah But change it did and through the years they introduced some foreign plants
E B7
Familiar things are strange while strangers play upon the lawn
E A
And mother land has shed her tears for lives that never stood a chance
E B7 E
And Albert Namatjira cried, as we all cry the Native Born
B7 A
So bow your head old eucalypt and wattle tree
E B7 E
Australia's bush is losing it's identity
B7 A
While the cities and the parks that they have planned
E
Look out of place because the spirit's in the land
A E
Look out of place because the spirit's in the land
A
Do you remember Joseph Banks who stood upon this sacred earth
E B7
And what he felt inside when he looked around and saw
E A
the land to whom we give our thanks our mother land who's given birth
E B7 E
To trees and plants and animals he'd never seen before?
B7 A
So bow your head old eucalypt and wattle tree
E B7 E
Australia's bush is losing it's identity
B7 A
While the cities and the parks that they have planned
E
Look out of place because the spirit's in the land
A E
Look out of place because the spirit's in the land
A
But no one knows or no one hears the way we used to sing and dance
E B7
And how the gum trees stood and stretched to greet the golden morn
E A
and mother land still sheds her tears for lives that never stood a chance
E B7 E
And Albert Namatjira cried as we all cry the native born
B7 E
We cry the native born
How to play Native Born Albert Namatjira
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is E. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.