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"On the 17 March 1993 Somali teenager Shidane Arone was captured and
beaten to death by members of the Canadian Airborne Regiment.
I read with horror an account of the story in the newspaper . The story told
how Shidane Arone's father requested - in line with Somali tradition,- that
he be paid the equivalent of 100 Camels for the death of his son, the Canadian
government actually proceeded to barter over the market price of a camel.
As with so many songs, "100 Camels" was a way to express
my feelings and reaction to this tragic death."

SONG LYRICS
One man was born a hunter
On the northwest plains
He was assigned to be a commando
In a peaceful war campaign
The other man was a nomad
From a hot dry land
He never asked for more than survival
Such a small demand

Your price for life, is it a hundred camels ?
Where's your conscience and shame,
To follow the blame ?

The soldiers lived in a compound,
Fenced with razor wire
They were never meant to be helpers
They were trained to aim and fire
More force than was needed, a case of overkill
"Like murdering boys stealing water"

Somali blood would spill Your price for life, is it a hundred camels ?
Where's your conscience and shame,
To follow the blame ?

One night the nomad was hunted
For breaking enemy walls
He was thrown in a pit to be tortured
An example to them all

The hunter followed his orders
He made him fight for breath
Cries of Canada passed without mercy
Before his senseless death

Your price for life, is it a hundred camels ?
Where's your conscience and shame,
Your price for life, is it a hundred camels ?
Where's your conscience and shame,
Now we know who's to blame,
We know who's to blame

Written by David Leask © 1996