Story, poetry and music: ‘Rivers Flow – Reflections on the Songs of Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter’.

Curated by award-winning Noongar writer Kim Scott, this anthology from First Nations writers is a beautiful tribute to the talent, heart and inspiration of two incredible music makers and storyteller, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter.

Anyone who was lucky enough to see either or both perform would surely remember the first time. For me, it was at a very early Woodford Folk Festival in the mid 1990s. I had two CDs of Archie’s then, Charcoal Lane and Jamu Dreaming, and knew all the songs intimately. Perched on top of a grassy hill to the side of a packed festival marquee (no chance of a seat inside), all I could see was the side of the stage and the performer’s legs. Once Archie began singing, none of that mattered. His beautiful, strong voice reached me like a warm caress, soothing and uplifting at the same time.

I saw this wonderful man perform many times over subsequent years: alone with his guitar, or with a band, or with Ruby, another magic-maker with words and song. They gave shows at festivals, in small venues and at the Sydney Opera House theatre. Every single time I would come away with tears in my eyes and hope in my heart. Their strength, dignity and compassion were reflected in each song they wrote and sang.

They were Australian cultural treasures and their legacy lives on. This book is a small yet meaningful part of that. A short, heartfelt foreward by Amos Roach, Archie’s son, sets the scene, along with a reflective introduction by Kim Scott, who writes:

So I made a playlist, and revisiting songs of Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter opened me right up. Remembering where I’d heard a song, or tried to sing it. Who I was with, when, where. And then there is the very quality of the songs themselves, their big spirit.
How I wish I could sing like that, write like that.
Rivers Run p9

Inside are short pieces by First Nations writers, some well known to me, others new. They each chose a song and wrote about it: a short story inspired by the feel of a song; a poem; a memory. The love and respect felt by other creatives for the duo in question shine through every single piece. In the words of Kokomini writer Graham Akhurst in his piece ‘Paradise’ inspired by the song From Paradise:

Hope is in the truths
and blood that binds us

Archie sang truths;
we sing along

Archie’s most famous song is arguably Took the Children Away, a searingly honest portrayal of the horrors of government policies and actions that resulted in the Stolen Generations. It is hard song to hear, to sing, to think about; yet hopeful. This was the genius of both Archie and Ruby: to explore difficult truths with compassion and love.

Here is Archie singing this song from decades ago; there is a beautiful suprise towards the end. Please note: the video contains images of people who have died.

It was a sad loss for this country and for Australian music when first Ruby, then Archie, passed away. I will remember them both with enormous admiration and gratitude. Their songs will remain with me always.

Rivers Flow was published by Fremantle Press in 2025.
Big thank you to Blue Mountains Library for having this in its First Nations collection, which is where I came across it.