Song ‘Friend In Need’ a rallying cry for the Reef
Songwriter John Gordon has penned a powerful new song to raise awareness about the ongoing destruction of the Great Barrier Reef – and Australia’s immoral part to play in it.
Titled “FRIEND IN NEED (Song for the Great Barrier Reef)” the one time environmental engineer, who has written for the likes of Wendy Matthews on her multi-platinum No.1 Album Lily, implores the listener/audience in the anthemic chorus
We’re not about to stand by and watch you slowly die
Like a friend in need we’re here to help you
You’re a big part of who we are,
Our Reef our Shining star
“As a young Engineer for the Environmental Protection Agency in Qld in the mid 1980’s I was instructed first hand about oncoming Global Warming by the CSIRO’s Climate Division scientists. I’m under no illusion about the threat to the Reef and indeed the planet.”
‘As a songwriter, I want to raise awareness of the plight of the Great Barrier Reef and draw attention to Australia’s immoral part to play in its demise. Global warming is killing the reef. It’s on life support.”
The Captions in the video clip for “FRIEND IN NEED” relay a frank Climate message:
Global Warming is killing the Great Barrier Reef
It’s on Life Support
Australia is one of the biggest Coal and Gas exporters in the world
Australia exports 400 Million tonnes of coal and 85 Million tonnes of LNG Gas annually
Which is equivalent to 1.5 Billion tonnes of CO2 when burnt …per year.
By wiping its hands of its huge fossil fuel exports overseas, Australia is quite simply morally bankrupt
Meanwhile it’s very own Great Barrier Reef is dying
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VIDEO Links:https://youtu.be/Mc3KHSdSnTc & https://www.johngordon.com.au/video/
AUDIO Links: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/6cj7AKLgq6KfKV1SowsTs9
or search Apple Music
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Legendary Queensland writer Hugh Lunn, says this of “Friend in Need”
FRIEND IN NEED (Song for the Great Barrier Reef) – John Gordon
John Gordon, from the tiny Queensland town of Allora near the border with NSW, hits exactly the right note in his new song for the Great Barrier Reef:
“Friend in Need”.
As Gordon says to the Reef: “You’re a big part of who we are”.
Which it is: when you think about it.
There is nothing bigger in Australia than this 2300 km reef off the Queensland coast.
All of our numerous billionaires, added together, don’t have enough money tore-build even a small part of it.
None of our politicians has the wherewithal to protect it.
Only a society can do that.
Gordon, who could be mistaken for the tall lean American actor Jimmy Stewart, has provided us with a sort of desperate hope by personifying the largely invisible Reef.
“We’re not about to stand by and watch you slowly die,” he sings hauntingly …
”We’re not gonna lie down and watch as you lose ground . We’re here to help you.”
It’s a rallying cry that will reverberate around the country.
Because as Gordon says: “We hear you calling”.
Hugh Lunn
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Songwriter John Gordon workshops ‘Friend In Need (Song for the Reef)’ at Radford College, Canberra
The kids are alright ma… The Great Barrier Reef has friends in high places. Canberra’s Radford College grade 6 students get Climate Change and get that the Reef is in danger – turbo charged by Australia’s huge fossil fuel exports.
Further info: www.johngordon.com.au
Call 0400 499546
FRIEND IN NEED
(Song for the Great Barrier Reef)
We’re not about to stand by
And watch you slowly die
Like a friend in need
We’re here to help you
You’re a part of who we are
Man we’ve come so far…..
(Verse 1)
Politicians claim to know
The way that everything should go
They come out with their plans
Try and make us understand
They’ve come to take your heart away
Say everything will be ok
Trust us on this one….
(Chorus)
We’re not about to stand by
And watch you slowly die
Like a friend in need
We hear you callin’
You’re a part of who we are
Oh you’re our guiding star
(Verse 2)
You only reap what you sow
If you nurture things they grow
And you will live to rue the day
If you let them slip away
We’re here to stand up for a friend
This mayhem has to end
This abuse now has to end…..
(Chorus)
We’re not about to stand by
And watch you slowly die
Like a friend in need
We hear you callin’
You’ve made us who we are
You’re our shining star
(Bridge)
All we’re askin for is a fair deal
Yeah, All we’re askin for is a fair deal
Not politics and not piecemeal solutions….
(Chorusx2)
We’re not about to stand by
And watch you slowly die
Like a friend in need
We’re here to help you
You’re a big part of who we are
Our Reef, Our shining star…
We’re not about to lie down
And watch you losin’ ground
Like a friend in need
And we hear you callin’
You’ve made us who we are
Our Reef our shining star
Friend In Need is dedicated to the memory of Felicity (Flic) Wishart – A true warrior for the Reef and the Planet.Written and performed by John Gordon. Title ‘Friend in Need’ by Greg Daley. Recorded at Pirate Studios Bournda, NSW by Dave Sparks. Reef footage courtesy of ARC (Centre of Reef Excellence). Thanks to Prof Terry Hughes.
Queensland Playlist (Aug ’23) – Noel Mengel
