Took the children away by Archie Roach. Illus. by Ruby Hunter

Archie Roach first wrote Took the children away as one of the songs on his debut album, Charcoal Lane released in 1990 on the Mushroom label. Archie and his late wife, Ruby Hunter published the song as a book with Ruby's stunningly unambiguous illustrations in 2010.

It is fitting that a new edition be published not only to honour its unparalleled contribution to understanding and Reconciliation but to reach a new audience as the song marks its thirtieth anniversary. All readers will be shaken anew at the sentiments expressed in this now iconic song, and be touched by the photographs of Archie, Ruby and their families.

This wonderful hard cover edition reprises the song in full, and along with Ruby's illustrations, tells the disturbing story of the Stolen Generations, where Aboriginal children were taken by the authorities from their homes, their families, their culture, to be raised elsewhere. This wrench from their families imposed untold hardships on all concerned. Those who years later were able to trace some vestiges of their families, had to be satisfied with reminiscences from uncles and cousins rather than their own parents who had since died. This double blow has been a heavy burden to carry.

In this edition, Roach has included a few photos of himself and his parents, several of Ruby, but more from their married life, raising their own children as well as fostering others.

Tears will flow readily as the song is read and sung, the illustrations perused and the photos combed, while the healing power of music, especially apt with Archie and Ruby's story, shines forth as Archie's song ends on a note of resilience and survival, 'the children came back'.

The song has touched people from all over the word: other Indigenous groups with stolen children have taken this song to their hearts.

A Youtube clip of Archie Roach singing his song can be found here.

Charcoal Lane peaked at number 86 on the ARIA Charts in April 1991 and was certified gold in 1992.

In his introduction to this edition, Archie Roach explains that he sees life in terms of a circle and when that circle is broken for whatever reason, the good thing about a circle is that it can be joined up again. And this is done by joining hands. His charity, the Archie Roach Foundation, which seeks to help those caught up in the youth justice system can be located here.

For guidance in using this book in the classroom, Archie Roach has worked with the ABC to produce a series of informative clips supporting the book.

Themes: Aboriginal history, Aboriginal themes, Stolen generations, Children, Song, Reconciliation, Survival.

Fran Knight