It was first written in 2014 but the death of George Bender in 2015 has given added impetus to the single The Truth Walks Slowly (In The Countryside).
The single is a collaboration between multi-award winning Australian duo O’Shea (Mark and Jay O’Shea) Midnight Oil’s Rob Hirst.
Although it was written earlier, the song has become a poignant tribute to Chinchilla farmer George Bender, who took his own life late in 2015, following a decade-long battle with coal seam gas companies.
Mark has a first hand knowledge of the situation, having grown up in the Darling Downs. He is now based in Nashville.
“George Bender's bravery inspired us. His tragic loss saddened and angered us. The Truth Walks Slowly (In the Countryside) is our dedication to George. It's now impossible to separate the song from the story, the music from the man,” Hirst said.
“We're humbled by his gentle heroism, and hope that our co-written song enhances and amplifies his magnificent legacy.”
The song is the first that Jay and her natural father (Hirst) have worked together on, since being reunited five years ago. Integral to the message of the song is an incredibly moving music video, which has been crafted by Mark O’Shea and features personal photographs and footage of George Bender on the family farm.
"On behalf of George’s extended family and his friends, I sincerely applaud O’Shea and Rob for taking the path less traveled, bringing awareness to the truth for all farmers and to help the fight to protect landholders’ rights across Australia,” Bender’s’ daughter Helen said.
The video is available on iTunes now. The track is also included on O’Shea’s latest album The Famine and The Feast - Out Now through Sony Music Entertainment.
