Can’t See For Looking - Phil Salter

Artist: Phil Salter

Song: Can’t See For Looking

Writer/s: Phil Salter

Label: Independent

Listen Now: https://youtu.be/OoNqC1zrT_Y

"Can’t See For Looking": A Tribute to the Kaurna People and the Lost Beauty of the River Torrens

Can’t See For Looking is a deeply reflective and poignant song that tells the story of the River Torrens in Adelaide and its tragic transformation since the founding of the city on December 28, 1836. Through its lyrics, the singer sympathizes with the Kaurna people, the original inhabitants and traditional custodians of the Adelaide Plains, and contemplates the emotional impact the river's degradation may have had on them, both past and present. This song not only serves as a powerful reminder of the environmental destruction caused by colonization but also a tribute to the cultural and spiritual significance of the river for the Kaurna people.

For the Kaurna people, the River Torrens was not just a waterway; it was a life-giving source, rich in natural resources. Known by its original Kaurna name Karrawirraparri, meaning "red gum forest river," it stretched 80 kilometers from the Mount Lofty Ranges to the coast, sustained by creeks and springs along its course. The river was an abundant source of food, providing karli (crayfish), fresh water cockles, freshwater fish, and waterfowl. It played an essential role in the Kaurna way of life, supporting the community with both sustenance and spiritual nourishment.

However, after European settlement, the river, like much of the natural environment, was drastically altered. The settlement of Adelaide, and the changes in land use that followed, led to the removal of native vegetation, the alteration of drainage channels, and the loss of wetlands and streams that fed the river. As the landscape changed, so too did the river. Riverbanks eroded, and the once-pristine waters became polluted, symbolizing the broader environmental impacts of colonization. The grief of this environmental loss is reflected in the song’s refrain, “I can’t believe your grief, I can’t believe the stolen beauty, the river was deep, its banks were steep.”

The song also weaves in historical references, quoting Colonel William Light, South Australia's first surveyor-general, who named the river after British politician Robert Torrens. Light famously remarked, “Much might be made of this little stream,” a comment laden with the European perspective of potential development and resource use. This contrasts sharply with the Kaurna people’s view of the river as a sacred and life-giving entity, underscoring the divide between European colonizers and the Indigenous peoples whose lands they occupied. The song’s lyrics convey a profound sense of loss—not just of the river’s physical beauty, but of the connection between the Kaurna people and their land.

Can’t See For Looking serves as a powerful commentary on the environmental and cultural consequences of colonization. The song offers a voice to the Kaurna people, honoring their connection to Karrawirraparri and recognizing the grief and anger that comes from witnessing the degradation of such an important natural and spiritual resource. It speaks to a broader theme of Indigenous land rights and environmental justice, shining a light on the need for preservation and reconciliation.

With its evocative imagery and stirring historical context, Can’t See For Looking invites listeners to reflect on the environmental and cultural losses that have occurred over time. It is a reminder that rivers, like the River Torrens, hold immense significance to the communities that depend on them, not only for their resources but for their cultural heritage. By giving voice to the river and its original custodians, the song asks listeners to see beyond the physical alterations and to feel the deeper sorrow for what has been lost.

Through its moving narrative and powerful lyrics, Can’t See For Looking stands as a tribute to the Kaurna people and a call to action—to remember, to respect, and to protect the natural and cultural heritage that is all too easily lost in the pursuit of progress.