song lyrics australian folk penny davies & roger ilott bill scott big water" just a bit of quartz" "heart of town" outback cafe hey rain werris creek cooper's coming down

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We sailed out from Southampton one bitter winter's day,
Up and down the bumpy waves of stormy Biscay Bay ,
I walked the decks with rosy cheeks in freezing rain and blow
My family feeling seasick in the cabin down below.

Chorus: Aurelia, Aurelia, sailing to Australia ,
Sailing to Australia - halfway across the world .

We travelled ever southwards & we came to calmer seas,
Watched the washing drying in the Mediterranean breeze,
Standing by the rail all day, I drank in what I saw -
I'd never seen a sea so blue, or any foreign shore.

A brilliant Port Said sunset, a palm tree silhouette,
Suez and then Aden – a long way to go yet.
Next the Indian Ocean – old salts now on the foam
Crossing the equator, Christmas far from home.

6 weeks at sea, long days of sun and nights of alien stars,
The scent of eucalyptus, blue smoke seen from afar,
I loved our ship, I loved the sea, but now our trip was done,
And as Aurelia sailed away … a new life had begun.

Words: PENNY DAVIES, Music: ROGER ILOTT Copyright 2007 Restless Music APRA/AMCOS

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GOODBYE TO YOUR SCHOOLDAYS

It doesn't seem so long ago that you were just a child.
You've made us laugh, you've made us cry, but mostly made us smile.

You changed our lives, you filled our days, you've questioned “how” and “why”,
your schooldays done, the time has flown, it's time for you to fly.

Chorus: It's all the highs & lows you've surfed that make this moment sweet,
It's goodbye to your schooldays - tThe world is at your feet.

We've walked with you and carried you up hills that were too steep,
We played and played the whole day through - then put you off to sleep.
We read you books, we sang you songs, we watched for shooting stars,
We helped you with your homework - now we let you drive the car.
Ch:

We've walked the road along with you, our daughters and our sons,
And as you take this giant step we're proud of what you've done.
Ch:

Cars and trucks criss-cross the cities;
From up in space it looks so pretty.
A billion bulbs light the night -
The midnight oil is burning bright.

Ice sheets melting at the poles;
We're tearing up the earth for coal.
Using power like there's no tomorrow
We'll get our oil – beg, steal or borrow

Ch: Crazy weather, crazy weather,
Is the world gonna be this way forever?
Big fat greedy corporate cats aren't clever –
And if we don't speak we're up the creek.

Shrinking rivers, dying trees -
Bad news for the birds and bees.
A world we thought would last forever
Torn apart by crazy weather. Chorus

Senseless clearing of the land
Pulp mills making their demands
Forests falling every day
There's got to be a better way
All around this whole country
People know, people see
Corporate greed changing this land.
It's time for us to take a stand. Chorus

WORDS & MUSIC: PENNY DAVIES & ROGER ILOTT
© 2008 RESTLESS MUSIC APRA/AMCOS

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From O'Mara's pub veranda you can watch the busy street.
The old clock tower, the trees in flower, the town is at your feet.
If you close your eyes & listen you can hear the steamies blow,
Hear clinking jars in the rollicking bar - 100 years ago.

On O'Mara's pub veranda the velvet night comes down,
The clock strikes nine, the streetlamps shine – a quiet night in town.
If you close your eyes you'll see it - the gaslights' gentle glow,
And firelight on winter nights - a hundred years ago.

Chorus: Here's to this grand veranda as the sun goes rolling down.
The old clock chimes the passing times of a little country town.

On O'Mara's pub veranda it's nice to sit and look
As life goes round, this little town's a living history book.
If you close your eyes you'll hear them in the hum of life below
Forgotten sounds of a country town 100 years ago.

My Uncle Herb sailed off one day
Sailed away across the sea,
Sailed away at sixteen years,
To Port Said from Circular Quay.
Though he was much too young to go,
He signed up with his cousin Mick,
They lied about their age and sailed
On board an Army transport ship.

Chorus: My dearest Mother, all is well,
The trip was good and the weather's fine
Remember me to those at home -
All the ones I've left behind.

Private Herbert Thomas Scard,
20th Battalion “A” Company,
Number 48 zero 6
Discharged his duty faithfully.

I remember Herb when I was a young,
His hand shook as he held his beer,
An old, old man at fifty-odd,
A hearing aid in his “good” ear. Chorus

At sixteen years, I played guitar,
Safe from wars and battle zones,
Herb lived alone in a tiny room
In the Narrabeen War Veteran's Home.

One night at the Shack at Narrabeen,
I sang my songs, and as I played,
In his lonely room just down the road
Herb cut the ties - and sailed away. Chorus

SHE'S LIKE A TREE

She's like a tree - a rowan tree –
She spreads her branches wide.
That's how she grows -
To give her shelter to everyone she knows -
She's like a tree.

She dances wild when the wind blows free -
Her hair looks like a flame -
And every child who sees her dancing loves her instantly.
They know her name.

Chorus: She brought the sunshine into every life she knew.
She helped so many people shake away their blues.

She's like a song - a rock'n'rollin' do it all night long,
So very strong to give so much & give it for so long.
She's like a song. Chorus

The songs above can be found on the CD MOON CALLER along with the following other titles : Four Horsemen; Circle Game; The Goldfield; Wet Season Blues; Song Of The Artesian Water; Must Have Been The Moon; Armstrong; Peaceful; Storm King Jam..

From BIG WATER - PENNY DAVIES & ROGER ILOTT (RM100CD)

TURN THE WORLD AROUND

Dozers roar in shanty towns - Homes and dreams come crashing down. Bombs in cars – could be your town.
Turn the world around.

Kids in camps in the desert sun Wondering what on earth they've done. Wars are fought that can't be won -
Turn the world around.

Chorus: Turn, turn, turn again! Turn the world around again.
Turn, turn, turn again! Turn the world around.

Refugees out on the sea – People just like you and me. All they want is to be free -
Turn the world around.

Some send ships out into space. Some would end the human race. Before we sink without a trace -
Turn the world around.

Greedy men, world trading deals - Hunting whales and clubbing seals - Furry coats and gourmet meals.
Turn the world around.

Checkpoints and dividing walls, Motors run and forests fall - This tiny world sustains us all.
Turn the whole world round.

Change is now – it just can't wait - It's time for love, and not for hate. Time for peace – it's not too late.
Turn the world around.

Chorus: They built me up, they broke me down,
I'm Werris Creek, the railway town,
They broke me down, but I came back,
And better days are down the track.

1. A railway camp beside the creek, growing quickly week by week,
Laying rails and sleepers down, soon became a railway town.

2. Warragundi looms above a little town her people love,
A station built in '79, the jewel of the northern line .
Ch
3. Tracks branched out on every side, her station was a place of pride,
Railway families flourished here in the train of passing years

4. Now people flock to ride the rails, hear railway workers tell their tales
Of days when railways crossed the land and people worked with heart and hand .
Ch
5. Let sense and sanity prevail to bring again the days of rail,
So towns who've seen the railways go, like Werris Creek will live and grow.

Words: PENNY DAVIES, Music: ROGER ILOTT © 2005 Restless Music APRA/AMCOS

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It was 1975 – though it seems like yesterday -
Playing at French's Tavern, and on 2 Double J,
We were like brothers - working in a band,
Driving all round Sydney in our Kombi vans.

Laying down tracks at Albert's and the ABC,
The Limerick Castle soon became our scene.
We had vision, we had dreams,
The world was ours, or so it seemed.

Who was right – who was wrong? Some heard the sound, some heard the song.
Like Byrds we flew, thought we were strong, Who was right – who was wrong?

Folk, rock and country – we made ‘em all our sound,
Rusty Dusty Brothers were the talk of the town.
We made the news in Rolling Stone,
Thought that we could make it all on our own.

But times were changing – for some of us too slow.
Who could decide the best way to go?

Some wanted to fly, some wanted fame,
Some just played the music, some played the game.

It was 1977 – though it seems like yesterday.
Somehow the years have flown away.
The band broke up, we all moved on,
The sound had changed - so had the song.

Words & Music: ROGER ILOTT
© 2004 Restless Music APRA/AMCOS

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BIG WATER

Chorus: Away, away, down the river for me -
Set me adrift on the Murrumbidgee.
Away, away, down the river for me -
Set me adrift on the Murrumbidgee .

The Severn is flooding, the Todd is bone dry, the Murray 's great tears tickle saltily by.
The Mitchell flows swiftly ‘round Billy Goat Bend, bBut on the Big Water your troubles will end.

Burke River is sandy, the Burdekin's deep, a boat on the Darling will rock you to sleep.
The Thompson at dawn wears her mist like a veil, but on the Big Water your heart will set sail.

Sweet Mary is muddy, she flows through the cane, the Hawkesbury River is spangled with rain,
The Snowy is cold with the thaw in the spring, but on the Big Water your spirit will sing!

The northern storms are bountiful for Nature's brimming cup
When Huey sends the rain drops down, the Cooper laps it up.
The landscape has a shining face so celebrate the scene -
The kangaroos are spotless, the goannas nice and clean.

Chorus : The Cooper's coming down, the Cooper's coming down,
The pelicans will muster when the Cooper's coming down.

I grow a little weary of the city's frantic theme,
And I feel a sudden yearning for a river reach's gleam.
I will pack my swag and hasten from this petrol-fuming town
And go dancing with the brolgas when the Cooper's coming down.

Chorus : The Cooper's coming down, the Cooper's coming down,
I'll go dancing with the brolgas when the Cooper's coming down.

Words: MAX FATCHEN Music: ROGER ILOTT Copyright 2006 Restless Music APRA/AMCOS

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THE HUMPBACK WHALE (original title Ballina Whalers)

Chorus: Hey, all you whaling men - come on! The harpoon's time has come and gone.
Leave your whaling gear on shore and fish the humpback whale no more.

The wind comes up in the restless bay - Listen to the wind.
It blows the beach umbrellas away - Listen to the wind.

It blusters, swirls and whirls and beats, tosses the hair on the heads it meets,
Drives the folk from the seafront seats - Listen to the wind.

There's a spit of rain and a splash of spray - Listen to the wind.
The windows mist at the takeaway - Listen to the wind.

The sand swirls up in a cloud of grit, and dims the signs that are neon lit;
The dogs go home and the seagulls sit - Listen to the wind.

The jetty moves with a shudder and shake - Listen to the wind.
It's then you know the sea's awake - Listen to the wind.

The waves all wear their whitest caps, and break in watery thunderclaps,
Old fishermen head for their armchair naps - Listen to the wind.

The night has clouds that smudge the stars - Listen to the wind.
It drowns the sound of the passing cars - Listen to the wind.

I'm glad I'm warm and safe and dry, because, they say, when the wind is high
The spirits of sailors moan and cry - Listen to the wind.

Great Grandad came with his family here - bought land at The Summit in the tin mining years,
With horse teams he travelled the rough stony track, seven days to Toowoomba and seven days back.

Grandad grew up and cleared the bush block, he pulled out the stumps and he blew up the rock,
With nectarines, apricots, temperate fruit, created an orchard where a family took root.

Now I'm pushing it down - the work of his hands; Pushing it down - the fruit of the land;
Pushing it down - it's not what he planned; Ah, I'm pushing it down.

When Grandad died Dad took on the farm, through many good seasons I was his right arm
But the weather was changing - it brought us to tears; Nineteen hailstorms in 23 years.

Now I'm pushing it down - the work of our hands; Pushing it down - the fruit of our land;
Pushing it down - it's not what we planned; Ah, I'm pushing it down.

The throb of the dozer, my hammering heart, the sound of the blade as it tears me apart;
Bad weather, bad prices and no subsidies - the only thing left is to bulldoze the trees.

My children don't need to carry this load. Why work as a farmer? It's a bloody hard road.
Before we go under, before we all drown, I'm cutting the ties and I'm pushing it down.

Now I'm pushing it down - the work of my hands; Pushing it down - the fruit of the land;
Pushing it down - it's not what I planned; Ah, I'm pushing it down.

Back to the sea again, Johnny, back to the sea-bitten piles,
With a spinning head and a guts like lead,
With a gin-soaked body and tangling tread,
Back where the water smiles – Back to the sea again, Johnny.

Back to the sea again, Johnny, back to the coal-grimed tramp,
To the fo'c'sle foul with a sickened soul
To the Liverpool Irishman like a ghoul,
To the blankets thin and damp – Back to the sea again, Johnny.

Back to the sea again, Johnny, back to the sickening swell,
(To scrape and chip to the lift and dip,
In the greasy bilge of a vagabond ship
Is a close approach to Hell.) – Back to the sea again, Johnny .

Pay for your sins at sea, Johnny, pay for your sins afloat,
Hand and heave and reef and reeve,
Steer and serve and clear the sheave
When the halliard chokes the throat - Back to the sea again, Johnny.

Back to the beach again, Johnny, back to the booze ashore,
Where the swing-doors grin to lure you in
And you pass right out on poison gin
Then wake and drink some more - Then, back to the sea again, Johnny.

The granite rocks are silent in the blue grey haze of trees,
Wildflowers bloom and forests toss their branches on the breeze.
Summer shines on droughty hills when days are hot and dry,
Where ti-tree scented waters flow and flickering swallows fly.

The trees are ghostly shadows when the moon is on the wane,
They shimmer in the sunlight and they glisten in the rain.
The full moon shines her lantern over every rock and hill,
When winds have died at evening time and all the trees are still.

Chorus: The hills and rocks of home, warming in the sun,
Shining in the moonlight - they'll be there when I come.

The frosty air cuts sharp and cold in icy morning light,
Winter nights are velvet dark and galaxies are bright.
Seasons flow around the rocks and scarcely leave a trace,
And every rugged hill of home is like a loved-one's face.

The granite rocks are silent in the blue grey haze of trees,
Wildflowers bloom and forests toss their branches on the breeze,
Sunset's flaming colours and the rosy light of dawn
Still paint the hills and rocks of home – the place where I was born.

The blowers of whistles, the man in the van,
Those who maintained tracks where ever trains ran;
The "refresh" girls, the shunters, station staff as well,
Porters on the platform who often rang a bell;

The station master who, in a manner most regal,
Surveys his domain with the eye of an eagle.
Signalmen pulling levers, "clunk", to make the road,
Or sounding "train arrival" in that curious bell code;

Train examiners 'neath the cars, adjusting the slack,
A job with much crawling - and it's hard on your back;
Those in the workshops and in loco sheds grimy,
Who kept the rolling stock running - be it old or new and shiny -

The crossing keepers - men (and women too),
Who once tended the gates to let the trains through;
The linesmen whose job involved climbing a pole,
The god we crews all served - the man at "control";
Apologies to others that I may have forgotten
It's been a long time, and my memory's rotten,

But I'll never forget, deep down in my heart,
That in my young days, I once was a part
Of that great railway family, whose toil, hopes and fears
Kept Victoria 's railways running - one hundred and fifty years.

The songs above can be found on the CD BIG WATER along with the following covers: The Angler (Gary Brooker), Ballina Whalers (The Humpback Whale - Harry Robertson), The Magpies Said (Dennis Glover/John Broomhall) and Turn! Turn! Turn (Pete Seeger/Ecclesiastes).

From JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ - PENNY DAVIES & ROGER ILOTT (RM087 CD)

STAY ON SHORE
I will anchor one day - one shimmering day
Of heat haze, grey smoke and breeze,
And unburden myself of my treasures
Beneath the blue eucalypt trees.
The seas of my youth, the sapphires and shells,
I'll bury them there in the sand.
I'll keep a blue stone to remember them by
And I'll wear it upon my right hand.

Chorus: And all my sails I'll furl and stow
And I'll say goodbye to the crew,
And on the sea no more I'll go,
But stay on shore with you.

The islands and reefs and the tropical moon,
The jewels that I found on my way,
I'll scatter them all on my homecoming shore
For the waves to take as they may.

Chorus and Repeat verse 1

Words: PENNY DAVIES, Music: ROGER ILOTT Copyright 2001 Restless Music APRA/AMCOS

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THE INJUNE RAILWAY

Chorus: 60 miles to Roma, it takes you half a day,
It took four years to build, but theyre closin' it today

Cattle, sheep, wool & timber, cream & pumpkins, people too,
For years the locos hauled the trains, at 20 miles an hour they flew!
Traveling with the season's produce - 9 bob is what you pay
Over five hours to Roma on the Injune Railway

Chorus

Out through Komine and Kooragan, stop at half a dozen gates
Fireman opens, guard'll close'em - every time the train just waits.
Slow across the timber bridges - Gum Gully's many spans.
60 miles of railway line, 4 years work for many hands.
Chorus

Over creeks and over gullies crossing roads and stations too
The track was laid by 1920 - 300 in the crew.
Up and down the track from Roma with freight of different kinds
The steam trains ran on the Injune branch line.
Chorus

New Year's Eve, '66, as the last train pulls away.
Nearly 50 years they ran - therell be no train on New Year's Day.
Goodbye Minka, Ona Ona,
Alicker and Yingerbay,
Goodbye Kingull, Blue Lagoon - goodbye Injune railway.
Chorus

Words: PENNY DAVIES Music: ROGER ILOTT Copyright 2001 Restless Music APRA/AMCOS

South of the border there'll be riots and disorder
For the problem you cannot deny,
Spare the pelicans' fears as they fish by the weirs,
So don't let the Murray run dry.

The bunyips are wary and growing contrary
And scowl from a river gum's shade,
The spoonbill will pine, it's a very bad sign
On finding there's nowhere to wade.

CHORUS: Let the riverboats steam on our faithful old stream,
Here's good river mud in your eye!
So send down the rains, big rivers, not drains,
And don't let the Murray run dry,
Don't let the Murray run dry.

A big Murray cod that's eluded the rod
Amid the political din
Before it's too late wants a fresh water spate
That's needed to dampen his fin.

It's awful to think that the Murray should shrink
For the climate is varied and fickle
There'd be anger and snarling if they dried up the Darling
Or the ‘Bidgee should turn to a trickle. Chorus

So an old riverman is making a plan
Though it might irk the law and the trooper –
He says it's no bluster, the yabbies he'll muster
And head ‘em all up for the Cooper.

Alternative final verse : Please leave some pure water for our sons and our daughters,
Don't dry up the Murray's great flood.
It'll be our own fault when we're knee deep in salt
Cos we buried our heads in the mud. Chorus x 2

WORDS: MAX FATCHEN, MUSIC: ROGER ILOTT
Alternative final verse – by Penny Davies
© 2002 RESTLESS MUSIC APRA/AMCOS

Quart Pot Town's the place to be,
Lots of tin for you and me.
You stake your claim along the creek
And you'll be rich sometime next week!

Chorus: I lay down and I took a little nap -
Sixty miles from Cunningham's Gap.
I lay down and I took a little nap -
Sixty miles from Cunningham's Gap.

You dig your shaft through granite rocks,
Wash the dirt in the old sluice box.
Pitch your tent beneath the trees,
Smell the quids on the evening breeze! Chorus

Wander down to the sly grog shop
For a game of poker and a bowl of slop!
Have some rum, just a couple o' nips,
Back to me tent for a good night's kip. Chorus

When I woke up me tin was gone,
So were the clothes that I had on!
But in Quart Pot town there's lots of tin,
I'll find some ore, and get rich again. Chorus x 2

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THE LIGHT OF THE STAR

There's a star in the east out over the ocean
It's shining a message of peace and goodwill.
There's a star in the east and it shines on our country
It speaks to us all and we're hearing it still.

For it speaks of a time of delight and forgiveness,
Of forgetting old quarrels and starting anew,
Of friendship and memories often forgotten
of times long ago and of friends who were true.

For it shines on us all and there's no one forgotten
the famous and lowly, the great and the small
for the light of the star is for all folk to cherish
it shines on the earth and its love is for all.

To the furthest out camps and the loneliest stations
To the folk of the cities that crowd by the shore
Come the rays of that star with its love and its promise
To light up the heart and remember once more.

Old friends and companions, old laughter and sorrows
Shared with old friends all the joy and the pain
Long lost in the past but at this joyful moment
The love and the sharing recalled once again.

For it shines on us all and there's no one forgotten.
The famous and lowly, the great and the small
for the light of that star is for all folk to cherish
it shines on the earth and its love is for all.

It shines most of all in the eyes of the children
Reflecting the trust and the love they can bring,
We watch them with joy as we share in their growing
Unfolding in love in their life's early spring.

For it shines on us all and there's no one forgotten
for those newly born or about to depart
there is peace and goodwill, there is loving and giving
from that wonderful light that can shine in your heart.

For it shines on us all and there's no one forgotten.
The famous and lowly, the great and the small
for the light of that star is for all folk to cherish
and it shines on the earth and its love is for all

There's a star in the east out over the ocean
and it's shining a message of peace and goodwill.
There's a star in the east and it shines on our country
It speaks to us all and we're hearing it still.

MY OLD DOG & I

My old dog and I walk together every day,
Taking in the world and the scents along the way,
Stopping every now and then, watching time go by,
We're the best of pals, my old dog and I.

You're always glad to see me,
You leap up when I come home,
You lie there quietly sleeping, or chewing on a bone.
You don't expect a lot, just a pat and food to eat,
You're happy just to spend the time lying at my feet.

You're always there beside me, a smile upon your face,
You're always keen to follow me all around the place.
I know the day will come when we will have to part,
But there's a special place for you here inside my heart.

I remember the days when we used to go fishing
After the whiting around Skirmish Point,
With a carton of stubbies, a bucket of yabbies,
And worms that we dug from all over the joint –
And a plastic container of plonk.

Remember the morning old Charlie got blotto
And fell all around in a tangle of lines,
He was singing his head off and whirling his sinker.
But as he was having a wonderful time
He spilled me container of plonk.

How he splashed it all round and some went in the bucket
And the yabbies all went on a beautiful spree,
They drank me rough red and got full as old Charlie,
And argued and sang and left nothing for me
Of me plastic container of plonk.

We were baiting with yabbies all well marinated
And waving their claws as they went on their was
And the whiting got word of this marvellous tucker
And came in their thousands from all round the Bay
To indulge in some yabbies and plonk.

When our creels were all full then we started off homeward
With a teetotal nephew to manage the car,
Then the whiting all came to the surface to thank us
For the taste thrill that came from me old plastic jar,
Me plastic container of plonk.

So don't talk to me about burleying whiting
Just take a tip from an old fisherman –
Bring a little rough red and before you start fishing
Just tip a good slosh in the bait-holding can
From your plastic container of plonk.

WORDS: BILL SCOTT MUSIC: ROGER ILOTT

As the city fades behind us and the rails stretch out before us,
Twin ribbons reaching towards the setting sun,
Past the neon lights a-gleaming and the ceaseless traffic streaming,
The Western Mail begins another run.

By suburban backyards flashing and across the bridges dashing,
The mighty C-16 goes powering on,
Winding through the hills and bushland and the greening Lockyer farmland,
The Western Mail is on her outback run.

Through Murphy's Creek and Ballard she goes surging on and upward,
Winding up the range towards the mountain crest,
And the Garden City's bright lights, then it's off beneath the moonlight,
Across the endless plains towards the west.

On to Dalby and Chinchilla, Miles, Dulacca, Wallumbilla,
The big wheels span the miles along the line,
Dashing past the camps of fettlers and the lonely homes of settlers,
The Western Mail is running right on time. (making real good time!!!)

Near Roma day is dawning and she stops to greet the morning,
Then to Mitchell by the Maranoa's side,
Womalilla, Mungallala, Dulbydilla, Angellala,
Through the bushland stretching far on either side.

Then she breasts the Nine-Mile Hill for the run to Charleville,
Where the people waiting know she'll be on time,
Round one more sweeping bend and she's nearing journey's end,
The Western Mail – pride of the Western Line.

CHORUS: Western Mail, Western Mail,
The Western Mail – pride of the Western Line.

REPEAT CHORUS: Western Mail, Western Mail,
So long old friend, we'll miss the Western Mail.

Along the road the sundowner goes,
Rattling his billy and full of his woes.
When the night is cold and the wind is keen
He plays his tune ….. what might have been.

His old dog listens with ears set back
His only companion along the track.
The mouth organ wails in the campfire scene
And the old dog howls .. what might have been.

Chorus: Then play it softly or play it loud
For dreams will pass like a fleeting cloud.
So he plays his tune and they understand.
That wise old dog and the listening land.

It's a tune he played in a far-off town
To the girl he knew, who let him down
As the embers cool he'll sit and dream
Of hearth and home – what might have been.

So he took to the road and there he'll stay
With a job or two then on his way
Where the plains are wide and the moon's serene
And they heal the ache of what might have been
Chorus:

FROST ON THE WATTLE

Chorus: There's frost on the wattle like snow on the sun
Up in the mountains where ice-winds have come
There's frost on the wattle, white on the yellow,
Up in the mountains where cold south-winds bellow.

The winter has come to the valley and hill
Freezing the breath when mornings are chill
There's ice on the reeds in the dam-water shallows,
Wind blows the wires now empty of swallows
Chorus….

The swallows are flown and the wires will sing
A song full of sadness and longing for spring
The water hens paddle and draggle their feathers
The only ones fishing in this kind of weather.
Chorus….

The summer has flown with the swallows away
Cold is the wind at the end of the day,
Scent on the cold wind like spring in a bottle,
Warming our souls with the gold of the wattle.

I was fossicking with my mate Bill, who knew a thing or three,
I kept on finding bits of rock that quite appealed to me.
So I'd take 'em up to Bill and ask "Are these the precious sorts?"
But Bill'd shake his head and say "She's just a bit of quartz!"

CHORUS: Just a bit of common rock, not sapphires or topaz,
But amethysts and diamonds bright were what I thought they waz.
My eyes were full of dollar signs with lots and lots of noughts –
But all I found along the way was just a bit of quartz!

All I find when searching in each mullock heap and rockslide,
Are hex agonic crystals made of silicon dioxide.
When people ask me why I search, I find me gob retorts,
"It's easier to keep than gold - me little bit of quartz."
Chorus

I dig and scrape and wash the dirt and find my work repaid
By symphonies of creek and bird, of muscle, pick and spade.
I might find gold - there's lots around by all the best reports -
But I don't mind if all I find is just a bit of quartz.

I like the look of agate and chalcedony a lot,
But I prefer me shiny rocks, cos they are what I've got,
And though my mind will sometimes stray to avaricious thoughts
I reckon I'll be satisfied with just a bit of quartz.
CHORUS: x 2

WORDS: PENNY DAVIES MUSIC: ROGER ILOTT
© 2002 RESTLESS MUSIC APRA/AMCOS

BACK TO INDEX

If the road is hard to travel, when days are cold and grey,
Be sure to walk together, sing and laugh hard times away

If darkness brings you sorrow, may love bring warmth to you
May your minds be understanding and your hearts be always true.

Chorus: May love forever shine on you, may blessings fall like snow
And may you sow the seeds of love wherever you may go.

As you sail through life together may winds blow fair and kind,
May you sail through stormy weather as one in heart and mind.

If the road is hard to travel let love bring peace to you,
Stay close to one another, let your own light see you through.
Chorus

These songs can be found on the CD JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ along with the following cover versions: A Nautical Yarn, The Net, The Long Haul, Love is a Lifeline (Paul Best), Stardust

WHERE THE CANE FIRES BURN

I've wandered east, I've wandered west,
From the Hamersley Range to the Snowy Crest,
From the Lachlan Plains to the Broken Hill,
But my heart's at the Johnstone River still.
Now the time has come when I must return
Where the vine scrub grows and the cane fires burn.
Where the vine scrub grows and the cane fires burn.

By the Yarra now the cold rain falls
And the wind is bleak from the Bass Strait squalls,
I stand and wonder in the chill
Has the season started at Mulgrave Mill?
For Autumn comes and I must return
Where the harvesters chug and the trash fires burn -
Where the harvesters chug and the trash fires burn.

The smog is thick and stings the eye
Where the Harbour Bridge fills half the sky
And the sirens wail through Sydney town....
But I dream of Tully when the sun goes down
Where the rainforest covers the hills with green
The cane grows tall and the air is clean -
The cane grows tall and the air is clean.

I've been wandering South and West
On land and sea, but the north is best.
Now Autumn comes with its hint of snows
And I must follow where the egret goes
To watch the evening's first faint star
From Flying Fish Point or Yarrabah-
From Flying Fish Point or Yarrabah.

WORDS & MUSIC: BILL SCOTT
© 1999 RESTLESS MUSIC APRA/AMCOS

HEY RAIN

CHORUS: Hey rain, rain comin' down
On the cane, on the roofs of the town.

There's rain on me hands and rain on me face,
Oh muddy old Innisfail's a muddy wet place,
Hey rain, hey rain.
And there's rain in me beer and rain in me grub,
And they've just fitted anchors to the Garradunga pub,
Hey rain, hey rain.
Chorus........

There's a Johnstone River crocodile livin' in me frig'
And a bloody great tree on the Jubilee Bridge
Hey rain, hey rain.
And the monsoon sky has sprung a leak
From Flyin' Fish Point to the Millstream Creek,
Hey rain, hey rain.
Chorus.....

And the storm clouds are so black and big
Theres an old flyin' fox in the Moreton Bay fig,
Hey rain, hey rain
It's the worst wet season we've ever had,
And I'd swim down to Tully, but it's just as bloody bad
Hey rain, hey rain.
Chorus.....

WORDS & MUSIC: BILL SCOTT
© 1999 RESTLESS MUSIC APRA/AMCOS

To the swelling inland channels come the flighting ducks in multitudes.
With pelicans in fleets that sail like schooners down the sky,

The black swans point their arrow heads towards the filling billabongs,
And brolgas dance the breaking of the five year dry.

Believe me there are multitudes of acrobatic parakeets
To celebrate the seeding of the grasses and the shrubs,
A screaming green &yellow mob that fossick in the tussock grass,
Then shriek & wheel in terror of the hawk that hangs above

Fat frogs are burrowing upwards from their time of sleep and burial,
Silent under spiderwebs of cracked eroded mud
Till each pool has its complement.
Enthusiastic choristers are croaking psalms of glory
for the Diamantina flood.

I am living dry and placid now among encircling mountains,
An old man still remembering the days that used to be,
But I close my eyes and live again those days of sweat and laughter,
When we worked the trochus luggers in the western coral sea.

Sailing in a black hulled lugger with a lookout at the masthead,
You may drift along the coral cays and anchor where you please,
In the glassy leeside waters of some rocky offshore island
Though the outer reef be trembling under pounding whitened seas.

You may anchor calm and safely in the shallows over coral,
Where the waters glimmer peacock in a hundred shifting shades,
You can hear the rippling wavelets tinkle gently on the beaches,
And the stays and braces strumming in the southeast trades . Chorus

To the north of Lizard Island and to the south of Iron Range,
In my dreams I am returning to the place where I would be,
To the laughing Torres Straitsmen singing softly in the twilight,
To the trochus lugger's anchorage in Princess Charlotte Bay. Chorus

BACK TO INDEX

THE MONKEYS SING SOPRANO (AROUND STANTHORPE IN JULY)

Now people tell you Queensland is a place of heat and dust,
That ain't at all exactly true, believe me if you must,
‘Cos it snows at Wallangarra and up past Girraween,
And if you go there in the wintertime you'll feel just what I mean.

The wind comes up from New South Wales, it ain't exactly nice,
Because it brings upon its blast big mobs of snow and ice.
You'll shiver all the flamin' night and all the chilly day
Despite your thermal underwear, if you go down Eukey way.

Chorus: You can take my word for it, and hang me if I lie,
But the monkeys sing soprano around Stanthorpe in July.

If you should walk down High Street, all empty and forlorn,
On a foggy day in August, just at the break of dawn,
Well you'll come upon the Pawnbrokers' – a dreadful, frightening sight –
The three brass balls have all dropped off and vanished in the night. Chorus

The kangaroos have all gone north until the winter's over,
They won't be back from Mossman till the middle of October,
The only sound of wild life is the awful quacking shriek
Of stupid ducks as they come to land in icy Quart Pot Creek. Chorus

So back up to the big log fire and warm your frozen bum
And toast the good old summertime in pints of Bundy rum,
‘Cos they talk about the heat and dust and tropics lush and green,
The silly folk who've never froze to death at Girraween. Chorus

Standin' at the bar, not squattin' on a bar-stool,
Both hands bandaged and a lump on his head,
I said "Good Lord, Harry, you must have had an accident,
Whatever happened to you?" and this is what he said:

"I was dodgin' through the teatrees, carryin' me rabbit traps,
Headin' for the burrows by the raspberry patch;
Listenin' to the butcherbirds whistlin' in the treetops
And dreamin' of the bunnies I was going to catch.

I saw a good spot, the kind that I was lookin' for,
I had two set and was reachin' for the third one
When the hair-trigger snapped and it got me by the hand.

Balanced on me boot heels, wavin' both me arms around,
Swearin' at the trap till the air turned blue,
I dropped me free hand to stop from fallin' over
And put it fair down on trap number two.

Both hands trapped now and scratched by the raspberries,
Cursin' like a bullocky and tryin' to get free,
I lost me balance and tumbled over backwards
And sat down hard on trap number three.

That's why you see me standin' and not sittin',
Both hands bandaged and drinkin' through a straw;
I can't sit down and can't pick me beer up.
I'm never goin' chasin' after bunnies any more.

WORDS BILL SCOTT, MUSIC: ROGER ILOTT
© 1999 RESTLESS MUSIC APRA/AMCOS

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I had a lover warm and brown who swore that he loved me only -
But he sailed on a ship to a faraway land,
And it's hard on a lass to be lonely, it's hard on a lass to be lonely.
Cold I lie all the starlit hours, if I sleep I dream of him only -

But he loved the sea far better than me,
And it's hard on a lass to be lonely, it's hard on a lass to be lonely.
Bring me the dress of flowery silk that I wore when he loved me only.
I'll find another man and forget him if I can -
But it's hard on a lass to be lonely, it's hard on a lass to be lonely.

I had a lover warm and brown who swore that he loved me only -
But I'll find another man and forget him if I can -
For it's hard on a lass to be lonely, it's hard on a lass to be lonely.

WORDS & MUSIC: BILL SCOTT
© 1999 RESTLESS MUSIC APRA/AMCOS

As I rode into Mungindi I heard a happy sound
A fiddle & a concertina that echoed all around.
So I followed the music & it led me down to the local hall
Where the girls ‘n boys of Mungindi were dancing at a ball.

Chorus: Oh the fiddle in the middle & the concertina and a bloke with a home made drum,
And all the folk of Mungindi swingin' to the banjo's strum.

I dropped me swag at the old hall door and I paid my shilling down
To the ticket man at the table, then I stopped and looked around.
There were blokes and sheilas dancin' round in a polka on the floor,
And a pretty little girl who wasn't dancing sitting near the door.

"May I have the pleasure", said I, and she smiled, demure and shy,
And left her handbag with her auntie sitting close nearby.
Then away we went and up and down and round and round the hall,
With the happy folk of Mungindi at the Boundary Rider's Ball.

"Where are you from?", she asked me, and I said, "Away outback",
As we spun along together from the front of the hall to the back.
Then all too soon the music stopped, and I took her back to her chair,
And bowed my best and thanked her while she blushed all pretty there.

Then the chook raffle man came passing round and it cost me another bob,
But I reckoned it was worth it, in fact it was just the job.
And what do you know, I won the chook, so I gave it to the girl,
Then it's "Up for the Barn Dance, gentlemen all!", and we gave it another whirl.

Her auntie said "You'd better come round for tea tomorrow night,"
And one thing led to another, and I reckoned it was alright.
So now I live in Mungindi with a wife and a couple of kids
And bless the time I heard that fiddle and I wouldn't change things for quids. Chorus........

(Alternative last two lines of chorus) And the happy folk of Mungindi, And I reckon I've just come home.

WORDS & MUSIC: BILL SCOTT
© 1999 RESTLESS MUSIC APRA/AMCOS

BACK TO INDEX

BRISBANE GIRL

As I was walking down Adelaide Street on a cold dry morning in July
What should I see but a pretty girl in a crimson dress with her head up high.
I couldn't say if she noticed me for she wore dark glasses in front of her eyes
But she shone in the air as she walked along like the embery light when a campfire dies.

She was neat & sweet and her long black hair swung to and fro as she swept along
Her little feet stepped firm and straight as the beat of a soldier's marching song.
She'd never look at a simple bushman down in the city to see the Show,
With his wide brim hat and his leather belt, though she set his poor young heart aglow.

I stood in a dream as she marched along far off as a cloud in a sunset sky
And me dusty heart it sang a song to see that lady passing by.
Then who should come but a big policeman, who said "Move on for you're blocking the way" -
So I had to shift and forget me heart that I left in Brisbane town that day.

Now I'm back in the sunset country, bulldust roads and artesian bores,
Silly sheep under pepperinas, weatherboard pubs and general stores -
But I remember that pretty lady once I saw go passing by
In Brisbane Town in Adelaide Street on a cold dry morning in July.

As I was walking down Adelaide Street on a cold dry morning in July
What should I see but a pretty girl in a crimson dress with her head up high.
And I remember that pretty lady once I saw go passing by
In Brisbane Town in Adelaide Street on a cold dry morning in July.

WORDS & MUSIC: BILL SCOTT
© 1999 RESTLESS MUSIC APRA/AMCOS

BACK TO INDEX

MOUNT TULLY LULLABY

Now the top of Mount Tully is shining with snow
There are flurries of sleet on the face of the blow.
The old house is shaking in a westerly gale,
But it's go to sleep baby to the sound of the hail,
Go to sleep baby to the sound of the hail.

The water birds crouch in the rushes and sedge
Where the Storm King Dam waters are flooding the edge.
A river of gold from the window to see -
All the leaves stripping down from the tall poplar tree.
All the leaves stripping down from the tall poplar tree.

Though the ground-hugging rocks become wrapped in white lace,
Go to sleep little baby - a smile on your face,
At peace in my arms from the tumult above.
Go to sleep little baby in the shelter of love.
Go to sleep little baby in the shelter of love.

WORDS & MUSIC: BILL SCOTT
© 1999 RESTLESS MUSIC APRA/AMCOS

BACK TO INDEX

Down by the banks of the Cullendore Creek walked a young girl with no lover,
Sad was the sound of her echoing voice from the grey granite walls up above her.
Bright streams the light from the far eastern range, crimson and gold in the morning.

But it's hard on a girl to be lost in the hills and wake all alone in the morning.
What use is to her are the bright singing birds or the sweet honey scent of the flowers
There is no joy in the tumbling stream or the rainbow that follows the showers.

Lonely she stands as the trees on the hill, lonely as smooth granite boulders.
Where is the young man to stay by her side and walk with his arm round her shoulders?
Plaintive her song as the wind in the leaves, mournful the sound of her sorrow.
She'll saddle her horse in the grey light of dawn and ride to the township tomorrow.

Leaving the valley between the high hills l onelier still by her going.
Though the sound of her song lingers on in the wind and the Cullendore Creek ever flowing.

W ORDS BILL SCOTT, MUSIC: ROGER ILOTT
© 1999 RESTLESS MUSIC APRA/AMCOS

THE DARLING BUNYIP

Jack the ringer and 6 mile Fred were camped at a Darling Bend,
Willcannia sheds were all cut out and the shearing at an end.
Nothing to do but sit and wait for lambing time to come, with half a sheep and a bag of flour and 16 gallons of rum.

Said Ringer Jack to 6 Mile Fred as he pointed with his toe, "we haven't been fishin' for 7 years, I reckon we'll have a go!
Sling the pack bag over here and I'll just take a look, somewhere in this heap of junk I reckon we've got a hook."

They found a hook like an anchor there among the bag's contents
Hhitched to a piece of 8 gauge wire they cut from a cockie's fence,
They tied it to the end of a rope they hadn't seen for years, 80 foot of greenhide twist they used for branding steers.

They baited the hook with a bullock's head and with one mighty sweep,
Flung the line in a billabong where the water was green and deep,
It shot out clean and true and then the bait passed out of sight
So they hitched the line to a river gum tree and waited for a bite.

For hours they sat and yarned a bit & drank the time away, till each was primed with OP rum, but never a bite had they.
Then all of a sudden a head came up from the depths of the waterhole,

“Oh I'm the Darling Bunyip and I've come to get your souls!
To chew youse up and swallow youse down and send your souls to hell
For daring to fish in a waterhole where the Darling Bunyip dwells!”
It grinned a grin that showed its fangs and swam for the muddy shore
With its feathery neck and scaly flanks and foot-long shiny claws.

"Be damned to that for a lark” said Fred as he snatched the green hide loose,
And spun a loop that neatly caught that bunyip's head in a noose,
He twisted and looped a couple more and gave the rope a twitch,
And the Bunyip found its neck was caught in a beautiful rolling hitch.

They tied the end to a river gum tree and hauled the beast ashore they never paid no heed at all to its most ferocious roar,
They grabbed its horns and bulldogged it and laid it on its side, and by the time it roared again, its feet were firmly tied.

“Now with the old Trade Union shears”, said Ringer Jack to Fred,
“I reckon there's half a bale on him if you'll only sit on his head!”
So 6 Mile sat on the Bunyip's head and didn't have much to say while Ringer Jack shore his feathery neck and shouted “Wool away!”

They filed his claws with a farrier's rasp and trimmed his toenails too, they branded him with F Bar J,
Though he swore til the air was blue,
They cut the ends from his pointy horns with a trusty stockman's knife,
Then loosed the ropes that held him and the Bunyip went for his life!

Now if you camp on a Darling Bend by the side of a deep lagoon, don't be suprised by an awful cry that rises to the moon,
It's only a bunyip telling his woes as he cools his poor burned bum,
And laments the time he tried to eat two ringers full of rum.

And if you come across 6 Mile Fred or even Ringer Jack,
And this might happen because they both still work around outback,
They'll tell you the tale and just to prove it's all the dinkum dope, they'll show you the shears,
And if you insist, they'll even show you the rope.

Hey old North Wind, where did you come from whispering softly in the midnight hush,
Bringing the faint sweet scent of frangipani gently stirring the sleeping bush?

“Came from the Gulf and the Torres Strait and the hushing wash of the tropic sea,
moving the jungle branches, seeing kangaroos in the top of a tree.
Bellenden Ker and Bartle Frere, Ayr, Sarina and the Bundaberg cane, fruit-bat nights and burning sun
and brought them all past your window pane.”

West wind, west wind, where did you come from, how did you get here, what did your see?
Stripping leaves from the threshing branches, What did you bring, did you bring for me?

“From the Gibson desert and the Peterman Range, stirred up the Alice and dusted the Ghan,
Whistled in the shutters of the pub at Birdsville and froze the ears off a drover man.
Brought you a dust-storm, fine as cinnamon, left it for you all over the floor!”
And the gale blew on through the shaken bushland, thumping my windows and rattling my door.

Where from, east wind, tearful at dawning - pounding on my roof and running from the eaves?
Hey old fellow, there's a leak in your waterbag washing all the dust from the greening leaves.

" In from the Tasman, over the beaches, over the valleys of the Great Divide,
Met these rain clouds, brought them with me sitting on my shoulder for an easy ride.
Now we're weary of all our travelling, ready to rest now our journey's done
I'll just sleep on this bed of grasses while the rain joins the river and glints in the sun.”

Welcome south wind, don't often meet you, slow from the miles you've left behind.
First all sunbright, then grey-gloomy - what's the memory shadows your mind?

"Started south by Macquarie Harbour, picked up the ghost of a convict's groans,
Stirred up the orchards, ruffled the mutton-birds n esting among the tussocks and stones.
Over the goldfields, round the Riverina, on past the ridges and granite tors,
the Border ranges, but tiring now and barely able to reach your doors.”

Welcome to all of you, tossing the grasses, tumbling the clouds in the blue above,
bringing me word of distant places, telling me tales of the land I love.

When I was a young man I followed the gold, deep in a mineshaft, all muddy and cold,
Deep in the dark with a flickering light and never a nugget to gladden my sight.

But it's way, hey! Now I am old - the mornings were silver, the sunsets were gold.

When I was a young man I followed the sea, cold, wet and shivering often I'd be,
Rocked in the crows-nest or rolled down below or sweating my soul out where the Gulf traders go.

But it's way, hey! Now I am old - the oceans were sapphires, the beaches were gold .

Now I am an old man I sit in the sun thinking and dreaming of things that I've done,
Remembering laughter, forgetting the pain - and I'd go out and do it all over again.

The lighthouse keeper sat on a rock and a sad salt tear wept he,
"I'm tired of biscuits and tins of beef, I want a fish for tea!
"I'm tired of biscuits and tins of beef, I want a fish for tea!
But I haven't a hook and I haven't a line to throw in the salty sea".

He peered to the east where the breakers broke, he blinked his teary eye,
H looked behind where his tower rose like a steeple in the sky
And he saw a wise old herring gull perched on a rock close by.

Said the keeper "A gull has an easy time when he wants a fish to swallow,
He rises up till he spies a shoal where the billows bellow hollow
He dives down deep and he gulps a fish with another one to follow".

The keeper found a rusty nail and hammered it into a hook,
He ravelled a string both long and strong from his cosy sea-boot sock,
He baited the line and cast it in with a crafty hungry look.

He caught a whiting and a bream, he almost caught a whale,
He hooked a crabby its big round claws and a flathead by the tail
And he tossed each fish behind him where they fell in an old tin pail.

Then he snavelled a shark that broke his line. He didn't really care,
He had fish enough to fry for tea, for breakfast and to spare,
And even enough for the herring gull that he thought deserved a share.

So he turned around to views his catch with shouts of joy and mirth,
But his roar of rage at what he saw was heard from Cairns to Perth .
An empty pail and the fullest fattest herring gull on earth.

When you're on a triple header from Blackwater or from Bluff,
In by Dingo and Rockhampton, and the tracks are pretty rough,
For a showery rail's a greasy rail, it makes the drivers slip,
So you never get the chance to open up and let her rip.

You've got no brakes, you've got no power, you're nearly out of sand,
And the hundred hoppers on your tail keep getting out of hand,
So you're edging down the cutting, watching hard for fallen rocks,
You say a prayer and cross yourself, and trust the Jesus Box,
Trust the Jesus Box.

What's in it is a mystery; you hope it's working right,
As you snake ‘em easy round the curves and the tail is out of sight.
Another shower comes along just when the rail gets right,
So you ease again for safety as you peer out in the night.
You hope all level crossing's clear, you'd never make ‘er prop

It'd take three miles of careful brakes to bring ‘er to a stop.
So meantime with your nerves on edge and your heart down in your socks,
You say a prayer and cross yourself, and trust the Jesus Box,
Trust the Jesus Box.

An hour late at Westwood then in through Rockhampton town,
Across the highway slowly as the dawn comes brightly down,
Past paddocks, houses, hillsides, and the clouds are opening wide,
As she swings towards Point Barney where the great bulk loaders ride.

You drop the load for shunting and greet the rising sun,
With another trip behind you and another job well done,
You take ‘em to the engine shed and set the brakes and locks,
And bless the great creator of the wondrous Jesus Box,
The wondrous Jesus Box.

Midnight shift on a Monday evening - hurry from the barracks to the loco shed,
Pouring rain and black as treacle, wish that I could stay in bed.
Past the arc lights down by the sand shed, down by the ash pits waiting in the rain,
Afternoon shift running late, boys, listen to the rattle of the old cane train.

Listen to the noise of a distant loco rattle over paddocks like a Gatling gun,
Number 6 coming over the river, boys, pounding in the cutting with a hundred ton.
In through the mill-yards slowing for the weigh bridge, drops a load coals up & then
Fills the tender up with water - home go the afternoon shift men.

Off to the yard to pick up empties, counting trucks in the pouring rain,
Hurricane lamp on the end of the rake then back to the engine of the old cane train.
Listen to the noise of a distant loco rattle in the dark like a Gatling gun,
Number 6 with a rake of empties heads for the river and the Daradgee run.

Out from the mill yard, slow at the crossing, open the regulator, stretch her out,
Tender first through the soaking darkness, safety hissing while the drivers shout.
Over the river bridge, through the cuttings, eyes all squinted at the driving rain,
Shovelling coal in the white-hot firebox - flying along on the old cane train.

Listen to the hiss of the old cane loco, shunts a load, gets ready and then
Leaves the rest of the rake in the loop line – thirty seven empties down to Portion 10.
Back to the main line, pulling out full trucks, rain so thick you can hardly see,
Dump ‘em in the loop and pick up the empties, then head north for Daradgee.

Past the blacked out farms and barracks, Victory Creek and the Milky Pine,
Listen to the beat of the old cane loco hauling trucks on the Daradgee Line.
Hear the roar of the old cane loco battle through the rain down the Daradgee track,
Clang! as the fireman shovels on the coal now - rattle of the drivers and the steam valves clack.

Stop for the crossing at the pub at Garradunga, catch points over the Government line,
Shunt the loop, deliver the empties, watery glare where the street lamps shine.
Homeward bound with a load of cane trucks, picking up the rest of the rakes as we go,
Over the bridge, across the water, open her out and listen to her go!

Hear the thunder of the old steam loco waking the echoes as she hammers up the hill
Over the crossing, round the schoolhouse, bringing back the cane to the Goondi Mill -
Bringing back the cane to the Goondi Mill.

Well, no more steam, they're using diesels, no more firebox - white hot glare,
No more water in the joggling gauge glass, no more smoke on the morning air.
Yet I bet some nights the shift men waiting hear that ghostly whistle sound,
Hear the beat of the racing drivers pounding over the sodden ground.

Hear the sound of the old steam loco, faint and far like a distant gun,
As the old time steamies echo in the memory - bringing home the cane from the Daradgee run,
Bringing home the cane from the Daradgee run.

OPAL MINER THE SONGS OF BILL SCOTT: other tracks can be found on the CD - available from the SHOP

BACK TO INDEX

From HEART OF TOWN - PENNY DAVIES & ROGER ILOTT (RM080 CD)

DON'T LET 'EM CLOSE OUR MILL

Chorus: Don't let 'em close the old mill down -
The sugar mill's the heart of town.
Don't let 'em close our mill.
Don't let 'em close our mill.

We burnt the fields, we cut by hand,
We came here from a hundred lands.
And now we cut with big machines
The cutter's gone the way of steam.
Up here among the ''Bundy snow'',
We've seen our town and families grow
Our kids are tall as sugar cane.
Old days are gone - but we remain.
Chorus

When they said the mill would close
The lifeblood of the town just froze.
Without the mill there'll be no cane,
We'll rust here in the northern rain.
Without the cane the banks will go,
The farms will die, the crows will crow.
The kids will leave or get the dole,
The place will lose its heart and soul
Chorus

We see the future with no mill,
Fields are empty, trains are still.
Don't want to see that day arrive,
We'll fight to keep our town alive.
Chorus

Words & Music: PENNY DAVIES & ROGER ILOTT
© 2001 Restless Music APRA/AMCOS

CALL IT FLAMIN' HOT

In sunny South Australia, it's rather warm outback,
Theyre swimming in mirages along the Birdsville Track.
Its the kind of summer climate that will leave a bloke dismayed,
Where even willy-willies will stay whirling in the shade.
Theres a sundowner sitting in a creek bed with a frown
He hopes the Diamantina will soon be coming down.
There are blistering goannas rubbing sunscreen on their claws,
While they say, at Oodnadatta, it is best to stay indoors.

CHORUS: They can quote their fine statistics, they seem to have a lot!
But Celsius or Fahrenheit - just call it flamin' hot!

The driest and the hottest state will win your thirsty votes,
And on the pub veranda, you will find the driest throats.
And the barman said he served this mob - it seemed the only course,
Four camels, half a dozen 'roos, the drover's dog and horse.
Chorus

I'm told the flocks of cockatoos beside the River Finke
Are loud with their entreaties of ''Cocky Wants A Drink!''
But who will switch the sun off, or dim its dreaded glare?
So what about Antarctica and how's the weather there?
Chorus

Politician say “please elect me – I never never bring in GST”
But he get the job, and then he say “GST – the only way”

Chorus: GST, GST – nobody understand what it all mean –
Everybody got to pay their share – “Advance Australia Fair”!

Once a year I do me tax – don't like it much but I do me best,
Lots of trouble, for now I fear – have to do it four times a year. Ch…….

ATO send me magazines, try to tell me what it all means.
I read them till me eyes go red, but I still don't understand what they said. Ch..

GST, GST, something different for you and me.
All you people across the land read the magazines and try to understand. Ch…….

P.M. say this is good for me, and I ought to be grateful for GST.
I sit around and I do me sums till the last trumpet sounds and the judgment comes. Ch..

WORDS: BILL SCOTT, MUSIC: ROGER ILOTT
© 1992 RESTLESS MUSIC APRA/AMCOS

Small hand in mine - your face lights up alive with things to know;
my heart's an overflowing cup as down the road we go.
Small feet work hard at keeping pace among the rocks and stones -
we'll take our time - life's not a race - too soon you'll walk alone.

Chorus: Take your road, go where you will, over valleys, over hills,
let your steps fall where they may, I'll be here - whenever you come my way.

Small head so full of songs and tales to carry all the years;
we've walked together, shared our dreams, and sung away our fears,
But there's a crossroad up ahead where you and I must part;
remember songs and things we said - and keep me in your heart. Chorus

If I could sing with angel voices - if I could drum my heart's tattoo,
Then you would hear my secret dreaming - my glad song would pierce you through.

If I could dance the sunset's changes - if I could spin the sky's clear blue,
Then you will sense my heart's true meaning - my sweet dance would dance in you.

CHORUS: But I can only sing my own song, I can only dance my way,
And you must guess from these few words what it is I try to say.

If I could paint love's many colours with rainbow light in all I drew,
Then you would see my heart's full spectrum and love would be revealed to you.

The weekend was comin' and we thought it'd be nice to catch a load of fish and stick ‘em in ice.
All week long the weather looked beaut so we hooked up the trailer and fired up the ute.

While warming the exhaust manifold we filled up the Esky with XXXX Gold.
With our tackle and lures and rods and reels we hoped to catch a couple of fishy meals. Chorus

We had pilchards, prawns and Charlie Carp but all we attracted was a catfish and a shark.
But a few beers later our luck was in and we netted some tailor, mackerel and bream. Chorus

We were contemplating a piscatorial feast when the weather came up from the south south east.
The sky turned black and the sea turned brown and half a minute later it was chuckin' it down.

Half a mile off Maroochydore up came the biggest wave we ever saw.
Down in the drink went our future meals, with our tackle and lures and rods and reels. Chorus

We lost our tailor, mackeral and bream but the rescue chopper reeled us in.
So after teetering precariously on the brink we thought it was time for an ice cold drink.

We recovered from all our our fears and alarms in the public bar of the the Cricketers' Arms. Chorus

It's so warm sitting here in firelight, listening to a storm way out at sea,
When the wind is howling in the long winter night, a nd you are here with me.

Chorus: The lighthouse on the cliff is shining its light,
While the lovers on the land sleep safe and warm.
The lighthouse will shine on the darkest night,
For all the lonely ships out in the storm.

When I get lost in the stormy world and no one out there really understands,
When my sinking heart is tossed and swirled, then you reach out your hand. Chorus

It's so warm lying here in candlelight when the golden moon shines on the sea,
Sailing safe in the glow of love's sweet light - and you are here with me.
You are here with me. Chorus

I couldn't bear the feeling when I put you on the train,
How was I to know if I'd see you again?
The sky was blue, the morning sun was shining on the track.
We kissed goodbye and parted – with a wave and a clickety-clack.

Chorus: I'd like to take you in my arms, tell you that I love you,
Hold you close and whisper “It'll be alright”,
Tell you not to worry - we'll be together soon,
But the train is disappearing out of sight.

We talked about the weather, as people often do,
You said how much you'd miss me, I said how I'd miss you.
We said the funny little things we always seem to say,
And stood there on the platform as the minutes ticked away. Chorus

I could've said “You're with me every minute, every day ”,
I could've said “I love you more than any words can say”,
I could've said so many things, but something held me back,
And suddenly the train was disappearing up the track. Chorus

She: I'm out here in the morning, chopping kindling,
You're sleeping in a motel room 300 miles away.
At 3 a.m. - your last encore - you've been away a month or more,
You'll be home before the sun goes down today.

Chorus: Can't wait to see you, can't wait to hold you in my arms.
And you can play your battered old guitar
While I pick the beans and milk the cow,
And we'll be together in the here and now.

He: I've been drivin' home since 4 o'clock this morning,
We packed the PA in the truck and then I said “Goodbye!”
While the other guys went off to sleep, I climbed in this old red heap,
I'd be with you now if this old car could fly. Chorus

She: I'll pick some peaches cos I know you love ‘em,
But I better check the tractor first - she's runnin' pretty rough,
There's an old red wreck comin' up the track,
And here's me with me face all black!
Can't get through the gate to kiss you fast enough.

He: I'm comin' round that old familiar corner,
And you're there in your overalls with a spanner in your hand.
You smell of woodsmoke and engine grease,
And my love for you will never cease!
Don't you know that I'm your biggest fan. Both: Chorus as above, then:

Both: Can't wait to see you, can't wait to hold you in my arms.
She : And I can play your battered old guitar
He : While I pick the beans and milk the cow,
Both: And we'll be together in the here and now.......

WORDS: PENNY DAVIES MUSIC: ROGER ILOTT
© 1992 RESTLESS MUSIC APRA/AMCOS

BACK TO INDEX

OLD NUGGET (For Kathleen Bradley)

When I was a girl in Ballandean I saw the Light Horse ride
Emu feathers in their hats, they sat their mounts with pride.
The war seemed very far away to a Queensland country girl -
But I recall those horsemen with their Aussie flag unfurled.

They came around the orchards buying horses for the war,
They looked them over carefully and left those that were poor.
They took the best and strongest - dad said it was the rule -
They took my dear old Nugget that I used to ride to school.

Chorus : What became of dear old Nugget?They took him far away across the sea.
On the day the soldiers came along and took my horse to war
The battlefields of Europe came very close to me.

There's a tablet in the country hall in Ballandean today
With the names of all our local boys who went the soldier's way,
But in my mind I always see when I look at them with pride,
A chestnut horse and a country girl on their final sunset ride. Chorus

OLD NUGGET: Kathleen Bradley, of Ballandean, Queensland, told me this story about the very harsh and personal impact of World War I on the life of a young country girl and her beloved horse. (PD)

Chorus: We'll meet on the shore when the storm is done,
Floating on the wreckage, all the lucky ones.
We'll meet on the shore where the oceans come and go,
Washed by tears and memory,
Where winds forget to blow.

The storm is howling round us, our ship is sinking fast,
This ocean means to drown us, each moment seems our last. Chorus

There's tears upon our faces, each woman, man and child
Fears reefs and rocky places when the seas are wild. Chorus

Lost in stormy waters, we cling to what we can,
And bless the tides that brought us safe to shore again. Chorus

We've come a long way together, walked along hand in hand
Down the roads of a lifetime, sharing dreams and plans.

Chorus: And though we've grown older, I can still see the smile
That captured my heart and made the ups and downs all worthwhile.

We stood down by the ocean, felt the ebb of the tide,
Reached out to each other when the waters were wide. Chorus

We climbed up the mountain, watched the clouds disappear,
Felt the sun on our faces, shared our laughter and tears. Chorus

These songs can be found on the CD HEART OF TOWN along with the following other titles: Caboolture Days , On Top Of High Peak , The Southern Cross, The Marree Line, Who Knows Where The Time Goes, The Brandy Tree, Turn Again.

From OUTBACK CAFE - PENNY DAVIES & ROGER ILOTT (RM067CD)

RIDIN' ON THE FRUIT TRAIN

When I was young I used to wait down by the railway gates,
And when the fruit train came along I'd jump on with me mates.
The drivers knew our faces, and they'd let us shovel coal,
But the coal would end up on the plate we'd miss the firebox hole.

Chorus: Cottonvale, Fleurbaix, Pozieres,
Bullecourt and Passchendaele,
Baupaume, Messines and Amiens on the 42 pound rail,
For 12 miles and 25 chains through orchards, scrub and pines,
Ridin' on the fruit train on the Amiens branch line.

We'd pass the golden orchards, and we'd whistle through the pines.
There used to be six sidings, but now they've closed the line.
There's not a trace of track from Amiens to Cottonvale,
But I remember golden days on the 42 pound rail.
Chorus

WORDS: PENNY DAVIES. MUSIC: ROGER ILOTT © 1997
Restless Music APRA/AMCOS

Notes: A chain is 22 yards (or 20.1168 metres) the length of a cricket pitch! The 42 pound rail is a light rail, weighing 42 pounds per foot.

TILL THE CAMELS COME

From Cooper Creek to Alice Springs,
The Afghan rides with the camel strings.
Raisin' dust on the beaten track, everything comes on the camel's back.
For the railway camps - a case of nails, sleepers, food and a load of rails.
They carry tools to the copper mines, and wire for the overland telegraph lines.

Chorus: From Hergott Springs on the Queensland Road
The camels plod with their heavy loads.
We squint through the dust & the sinking sun,
watch and wait till the camels come.

A letter from home, a bolt of lace,
kero tins in a packing case,
gear for the men in the shearing game,
picks and shovels for the diggers' claims.
Chorus

Pots and brooms and a keg of ale,
flour and a book of fairy tales.
The child who lives in a distant place
looks to the track with a hopeful face.
Chorus

From Cooper Creek to Alice Springs, the Afghan rides with the camel strings.
We run through the dust in the sinking sun - cheer as the line of camels come.
Chorus

Words: PENNY DAVIES Music: ROGER ILOTT
© 1997 Restless Music APRA/AMCOS

These songs can be found on the CD OUTBACK CAFE along with the following other titles: Beside A Railway Line, The Flying Gang, Mrs Thomas Moore, Send Her Down Hughie! Bullocky Bill, Balmain, Down The Track, Girraween, Where The Rivers Rise, Up In The Queensland Mountains, The Cubby Tree.

From BACKBONE OF THE NATION - THE WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA - PENNY DAVIES (RM035 CD)

Black Mary & Michael Howe, the "bold bushranger",
Wandered the wild mountains of Tasmania.
Mary loved & cared for Michael for many years on the run,
& hoped they'd be together when their outlaw days were done. Chorus: Mary, Black Mary, betrayed by her love,
You'll be sorry Michael Howe that you wounded your black dove.

Mary found bush food for them & filled their tucker bags,
She led them safely through the bush & carried a heavy swag,
She found a hundred hideouts for Michael & his men,
& listened to them brag as if their freedom would never end. Chorus... A troop of mounted policemen came out from Hobart town,
The gang split up to make it hard for the traps to hunt them down
But the traps were moving in on them & Michael drew his gun,
To shoot Black Mary down - two couldn't go as fast as one. Chorus... Mary lay there bleeding until the troopers came,
She told them Michael's hideouts & cursed her lover's name,
They found him, he surrendered, & then betrayed his gang,
To save himself - the coward - so he wouldn't have to hang. Chorus...

WORDS: PENNY DAVIES. MUSIC: ROGER ILOTT
© 1992 Restless Music APRA/AMCOS

The songs above can be found on the CD BACKBONE OF THE NATION - AVAILABLE SHORTLY AS A REISSUE

SONG SUBJECT INDEX

ALBUMS: MOON CALLER, BIG WATER, JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ, HEART OF TOWN, OPAL MINER, OUTBACK CAFE - COMING SOON BACKBONE OF THE NATION - THE WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA (REISSUE)

Number following album title is track number (e.g. OUTBACK CAFE3 is Track 3, Outback Café)

SUBJECT	SONG	Album /Track number
Afghans	Till The Camels Come	OUTBACK CAFE 1
Afghans	The Marree Line	HEART OF TOWN 3
Animals (domestic)	My Old Dog And I	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 12
Animals (threatened)	The Humpback Whale	BIG WATER 6
Animals (threatened)	The Sealers' Slaves,	OUTBACK CAFE 11
Animals (wild)	Rain In The Channel Country	OPAL MINER 18
Animals (working)	Old Nugget	HEART OF TOWN 15
Animals (working)	Till The Camels Come	OUTBACK CAFE 1
Animals (working)	Bullocky Bill	OUTBACK CAFE 12
Anti-war	Turn Turn Turn	BIG WATER 14
Anti-war	Turn The World Around	BIG WATER 1
Apples	Pushing It Down	BIG WATER 9
Banjo Paterson	Song Of The Artesian Water	MOON CALLER 9
Beach	Listen To The Wind	BIG WATER 7
Bigotry	The Marree Line	HEART OF TOWN 3
Birds	The Magpies Said	BIG WATER 13
Birds	Rain In The Channel Country	OPAL MINER 18
Birds	Lighthouse Keeper & the Herring Gull	OPAL MINER 3
Birds	Up In The Queensland Mountains	OUTBACK CAFE 3
Birds	Bird Going West.	OUTBACK CAFE 20
Boating	Plastic Container Of Plonk	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 8
Bunyips	The Darling Bunyip	OPAL MINER 12
Bushrangers	Four Horsemen	MOON CALLER 3
Camels	Till The Camels Come	OUTBACK CAFE 1
Children	Caboolture Days	HEART OF TOWN 8
Children	Backyard At Hurlstone Park	OUTBACK CAFE 16
Children	Ridin' On The Fruit Train	OUTBACK CAFE 18
Children	Circle Game	MOON CALLER 4
Children	Goodbye To Your Schooldays	MOON CALLER 13
Children/Parenting	Whenever You Come My Way	HEART OF TOWN 2
Children/Parenting	Mount Tully Lullaby	OPAL MINER 9
Children/Parenting	Lullaby	OPAL MINER 21
Children/Parenting	Beside A Railway Line	OUTBACK CAFE 4

Children/Parenting	Cubby Tree	OUTBACK CAFE 9
Children/Parenting	Circle Game	MOON CALLER 4
Children/Parenting	Goodbye To Your Schooldays	MOON CALLER 13
Children/Parenting	Little Stranger	OUTBACK CAFE 19
Christmas	The Light Of The Star	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 1
Climate Change	Crazy Weather	MOON CALLER 5
Climate Change (history)	Song Of The Artesian Water	MOON CALLER 9
Communities	Werris Creek	BIG WATER 2
Communities	Don't Let 'Em Close Our Mill	HEART OF TOWN 1
Communities	The Marree Line	HEART OF TOWN 3
Communities	Mungindi Ball	OPAL MINER 6
Communities	Where The Rivers Rise	OUTBACK CAFE 14
Convicts	Mrs Thomas Moore	OUTBACK CAFE 5
Country Life	Where The Rivers Rise	OUTBACK CAFE 14
Country Life	O'Mara's Front Verandah	MOON CALLER 6
Country Life	Down The Track	OUTBACK CAFE 15
Country Life	Turn The World Around	BIG WATER 1
Country Life	Big Water	BIG WATER 4
Country Life	When The Cooper's Coming Down	BIG WATER 5
Country Life	The Hills And Rocks Of Home	BIG WATER 11
Country Life	Don't Let The Murray Run Dry	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 3
Country Life	Frost On The Wattle	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 13
Country Life	The Brandy Tree	HEART OF TOWN 7
Country Life	Caboolture Days	HEART OF TOWN 8
Country Life	Song Of The Artesian Water	MOON CALLER 9
Country Life	Where The Cane Fires Burn	OPAL MINER 7
Country Life	Rain In The Channel Country	OPAL MINER 18
Country Life	Mount Tully Lullaby	OPAL MINER 9
Country Towns	Werris Creek	BIG WATER 2
Country Towns	Don't Let 'Em Close Our Mill	HEART OF TOWN 1
Country Towns	Don't Let 'Em Close Our Mill	HEART OF TOWN 1
Country Towns	Mungindi Ball	OPAL MINER 6
Country Towns	Where The Rivers Rise	OUTBACK CAFE 14
Country Towns	Ridin' On The Fruit Train	OUTBACK CAFE 18
Dancing	Mungindi Ball	OPAL MINER 6
Death	Outback	OUTBACK CAFE 7
Death	Bird Going West.	OUTBACK CAFE 20
Dogs	My Old Dog And I	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 12
Drinking	Plastic Container Of Plonk	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 8
Drought	When The Cooper's Coming Down	BIG WATER 5

Drought	Don't Let The Murray Run Dry	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 3
Drought	Call It Flamin' Hot	HEART OF TOWN 5
Drought	Song Of The Artesian Water	MOON CALLER 9
Drought	Rain In The Channel Country	OPAL MINER 18
Drought	Send Her Down Hughie!	OUTBACK CAFE 6
Economic Rationalism	Werris Creek	BIG WATER 2
Economic Rationalism	Pushing It Down	BIG WATER 9
Economic Rationalism	The Western Mail	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 4
Economic Rationalism	The Injune Railway	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 9
Economic Rationalism	Don't Let 'Em Close Our Mill	HEART OF TOWN 1
Elderly	The Magpies Said	BIG WATER 13
Elderly	Old Man's Song.	OPAL MINER 22
Environment/Landscape	Turn The World Around	BIG WATER 1
Environment/Landscape	Crazy Weather	MOON CALLER 5
Environment/Landscape	Big Water	BIG WATER 4
Environment/Landscape	When The Cooper's Coming Down	BIG WATER 5
Environment/Landscape	The Humpback Whale	BIG WATER 6
Environment/Landscape	Listen To The Wind	BIG WATER 7
Environment/Landscape	The Angler	BIG WATER 8
Environment/Landscape	The Hills And Rocks Of Home	BIG WATER 11
Environment/Landscape	Don't Let The Murray Run Dry	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 3
Environment/Landscape	The Net	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 7
Environment/Landscape	Frost On The Wattle	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 13
Environment/Landscape	The Brandy Tree	HEART OF TOWN 7
Environment/Landscape	Song Of The Artesian Water	MOON CALLER 9
Environment/Landscape	Caboolture Days	HEART OF TOWN 8
Environment/Landscape	The Southern Cross	HEART OF TOWN1 9
Environment/Landscape	Where The Cane Fires Burn	OPAL MINER 7
Environment/Landscape	Rain In The Channel Country	OPAL MINER 18
Environment/Landscape	Mount Tully Lullaby	OPAL MINER 9
Environment/Landscape	Cullendore Creek	OPAL MINER 11
Environment/Landscape	Silverwood Dam	OPAL MINER 13
Environment/Landscape	Tales Of The Wind	OPAL MINER 20
Environment/Landscape	Old Man's Song.	OPAL MINER 22
Environment/Landscape	Up In The Queensland Mountains	OUTBACK CAFE 3
Environment/Landscape	Girraween	OUTBACK CAFE 17
Environment/Landscape	Bird Going West.	OUTBACK CAFE 20
Environment/Landscape (threatened)	The Sealers' Slaves,	OUTBACK CAFE 11
Environment/Landscape (urban)	Beside A Railway Line	OUTBACK CAFE 4

Environment/Landscape (urban)	Balmain	OUTBACK CAFE 10
Family	Cubby Tree	OUTBACK CAFE 9
Family	Pte Herbert Thomas Scard	MOON CALLER 10
Family	Circle Game	MOON CALLER 4
Family	The Hills And Rocks Of Home	BIG WATER 11
Family	Stay On Shore	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 5
Family	Sow The Seeds Of Love	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 15
Family	Whenever You Come My Way	HEART OF TOWN 2
Family	The Southern Cross	HEART OF TOWN 19
Family	Mount Tully Lullaby	OPAL MINER 9
Family	Lullaby	OPAL MINER 21
Family	Beside A Railway Line	OUTBACK CAFE 4
Family	Backyard At Hurlstone Park	OUTBACK CAFE 16
Family	Little Stranger	OUTBACK CAFE 19
Farmers	Pushing It Down	BIG WATER 9
Farmers	The Magpies Said	BIG WATER 13
Farming	Don't Let 'Em Close Our Mill	HEART OF TOWN 1
Farming	Ridin' On The Fruit Train	OUTBACK CAFE 18
Fishing	The Angler	BIG WATER 8
Fishing	The Net	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 7
Fishing	Plastic Container Of Plonk	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 8
Fishing	A Fisherman Bold	HEART OF TOWN 10
Flood	Where The Rivers Rise	OUTBACK CAFE 14
Friendship	Just A Bit Of Quartz	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 10
Friendship	Love Is A Lifeline	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 16
Friendship	We'll Meet On The Shore	HEART OF TOWN 17
Friendship	She's Like A Tree	MOON CALLER 1
Gold	Old Man's Song.	OPAL MINER 22
Gold	The Goldfield	MOON CALLER 7
GST	The GST Calypso	HEART OF TOWN 16
Happiness	Down The Track	OUTBACK CAFE 15
Harbour	Balmain	OUTBACK CAFE 10
Hardship	Outback	OUTBACK CAFE 7
History (1960's)	Armstrong	MOON CALLER 12
History (agricultural)	Where The Cane Fires Burn	OPAL MINER 7
History (bullock driver)	Bullocky Bill	OUTBACK CAFE 12
History (bushrangers)	Four Horsemen	MOON CALLER 3
History (camel trains)	Till The Camels Come	OUTBACK CAFE 1
History (convict makes good)	Mrs Thomas Moore	OUTBACK CAFE 5

History (death of a swagman)	Outback	OUTBACK CAFE 7
History (floods in Qld)	Where The Rivers Rise	OUTBACK CAFE 14
History (inner Sydney harbour)	Balmain	OUTBACK CAFE 10
History (invented)	The Darling Bunyip	OPAL MINER 12
History (maritime)	On Top Of High Peak	HEART OF TOWN 14
History (Moon Landing)	Armstrong	MOON CALLER12
History (Ned Kelly & gang)	Four Horsemen	MOON CALLER 3
History (old time halls/balls)	Mungindi Ball	OPAL MINER 6
History (Qld)	60 Miles From Cunningham's Gap	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 2
History (Qld)	The Western Mail	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 4
History (rabbit trapper)	Tanglefoot Harry	OPAL MINER 4
History (rail)	The Injune Railway	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 9
History (rail)	Cane Train	OPAL MINER10
History (rail)	Coal Train	OPAL MINER14
History (rail)	The Flying Gang	OUTBACK CAFE 2
History (rail)	Beside A Railway Line	OUTBACK CAFE 4
History (rail)	Ridin' On The Fruit Train	OUTBACK CAFE18
History (river boats)	A Nautical Yarn	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 6
History (SA)	The Marree Line	HEART OF TOWN 3
History (small h)	Caboolture Days	HEART OF TOWN 8
History (small h)	Old Man's Song.	OPAL MINER 22
History (small h)	Backyard At Hurlstone Park	OUTBACK CAFE 16
History (small town)	O'Mara's Front Verandah	MOON CALLER 6
History ( Tasmania /indigenous)	The Sealers' Slaves,	OUTBACK CAFE 11
History (war)	Pte Herbert Thomas Scard	MOON CALLER10
History (water)	Song Of The Artesian Water	MOON CALLER 9
History (WWI)	Old Nugget	HEART OF TOWN 15
Hope	The Hills And Rocks Of Home	BIG WATER 11
Hope	Mount Tully Lullaby	OPAL MINER 9
Hope	Backyard At Hurlstone Park	OUTBACK CAFE 16
Horses	Old Nugget	HEART OF TOWN 15
Humour	A Nautical Yarn	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 6
Humour	Plastic Container Of Plonk	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 8
Humour	Just A Bit Of Quartz	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 10
Humour	A Fisherman Bold	HEART OF TOWN 10
Humour	The Monkeys Sing Soprano	OPAL MINER19/OUTBACK CAFE 8

Humour	Lighthouse Keeper & the Herring Gull	OPAL MINER 3
Humour	Tanglefoot Harry	OPAL MINER 4
Humour	Mungindi Ball	OPAL MINER 6
Humour	The Darling Bunyip	OPAL MINER 12
Humour	Send Her Down Hughie!	OUTBACK CAFE 6
Humour (ironic)	The Net	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 7
Indigenous	The Sealers' Slaves,	OUTBACK CAFE 11
Injustice	Turn The World Around	BIG WATER 1
Life Journey	Stay On Shore	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 5
Life Journey	The Net	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 7
Life's Journey	Aurelia	MOON CALLER 1
Life's Journey	Just A Bit Of Quartz	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 10
Life's Journey	Sow The Seeds Of Love	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 15
Life's Journey	Whenever You Come My Way	HEART OF TOWN 2
Life's Journey	Who Knows Where The Time Goes	HEART OF TOWN 4
Life's Journey	The Brandy Tree	HEART OF TOWN 7
Life's Journey	Caboolture Days	HEART OF TOWN 8
Life's Journey	The Southern Cross	HEART OF TOWN19
Life's Journey	Old Man's Song.	OPAL MINER 22
Life's Journey	Cubby Tree	OUTBACK CAFE 9
Life's Journey	Down The Track	OUTBACK CAFE15
Life's Journey	Little Stranger	OUTBACK CAFE 19
Life's Journey	Bird Going West.	OUTBACK CAFE 20
Life's Journey	Peaceful	MOON CALLER 14
Life's Journey	Circle Game	MOON CALLER 4
Light Horse	Old Nugget	HEART OF TOWN 15
Lighthouse	On Top Of High Peak	HEART OF TOWN 14
Lighthouse	Lighthouse Keeper & the Herring Gull	OPAL MINER 3
Love	Stay On Shore	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 5
Love	Must Have Been The Moon	MOON CALLER11
Love	Sow The Seeds Of Love	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 15
Love	Love Is A Lifeline	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 16
Love	She's Like A Tree	MOON CALLER 1
Love	If I Could	HEART OF TOWN 6
Love	Turn Again	HEART OF TOWN 9
Love	The Lighthouse	HEART OF TOWN 11

Love	Hard On A Lass	OPAL MINER 5
Love	Mungindi Ball	OPAL MINER 6
Love	Brisbane Girl	OPAL MINER 8
Love	Cullendore Creek	OPAL MINER 11
Lullaby	Mount Tully Lullaby	OPAL MINER 9
Lullaby	Lullaby	OPAL MINER 21
Lullaby	Little Stranger	OUTBACK CAFE 19
Maritime	The Humpback Whale	BIG WATER 6
Maritime	Aurelia	MOON CALLER 2
Maritime	Back To The Sea Again, Johnny	BIG WATER10
Maritime	A Nautical Yarn	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 6
Maritime	The Lighthouse	HEART OF TOWN 11
Maritime	On Top Of High Peak	HEART OF TOWN 14
Maritime	Trochus Boats	OPAL MINER 2
Maritime	Lighthouse Keeper & the Herring Gull	OPAL MINER 3
Maritime	Old Man's Song.	OPAL MINER 22
Maritime (NSW)	Balmain	OUTBACK CAFE 10
Marriage	Sow The Seeds Of Love	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 15
Marriage	Turn Again	HEART OF TOWN 9
Max Fatchen	Call It Flamin' Hot	HEART OF TOWN 5
Mining	60 Miles From Cunningham's Gap	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 2
Mining	Just A Bit Of Quartz	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 10
Mining	Coal Train	OPAL MINER 14
Mining	Old Man's Song.	OPAL MINER 22
Moon	Must Have Been The Moon	MOON CALLER 11
Moon	Armstrong	MOON CALLER12
Mountains	Up In The Queensland Mountains	OUTBACK CAFE 3
Music	Mungindi Ball	OPAL MINER 6
Ocean	The Humpback Whale	BIG WATER 6
Ocean	Aurelia	MOON CALLER 2
Ocean	Listen To The Wind	BIG WATER 7
Ocean	Back To The Sea Again, Johnny	BIG WATER10
Ocean	The Lighthouse	HEART OF TOWN 11
Ocean	We'll Meet On The Shore	HEART OF TOWN 17
Ocean	Trochus Boats	OPAL MINER 2
Ocean	Lighthouse Keeper & the Herring Gull	OPAL MINER 3
Ocean	Balmain	OUTBACK CAFE 10
Outback	When The Cooper's Coming Down	BIG WATER 5
Outback	Till The Camels Come	OUTBACK CAFE 1
Outback	Outback	OUTBACK CAFE 7

Outback	Bullocky Bill	OUTBACK CAFE 12
Outback	Bird Going West.	OUTBACK CAFE 20
Peace	Turn The World Around	BIG WATER1
Peace	Peaceful	MOON CALLER 14
Peace	Turn! Turn! Turn!	BIG WATER14
Peace	The Light Of The Star	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 1
Pioneers	The Magpies Said	BIG WATER13
Pioneers	Till The Camels Come	OUTBACK CAFE 1
Pioneers	Mrs Thomas Moore	OUTBACK CAFE 5
Pioneers	Bullocky Bill	OUTBACK CAFE 12
Poem set to music	Outback	OUTBACK CAFE 7
Poetry	The Once-Great Railway Family	BIG WATER12
Poetry Set To Music	A Nautical Yarn	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 6
Poetry set to music	The Net	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 7
Queensland	The Monkeys Sing Soprano	OPAL MINER19/OUTBACK CAFE 8
Queensland	Brisbane Girl	OPAL MINER 8
Queensland	Up In The Queensland Mountains	OUTBACK CAFE 3
Queensland (north)	Where The Cane Fires Burn	OPAL MINER 7
Queensland (north)	Hey Rain!	OPAL MINER 1/OUTBACK CAFE 13
Queensland (north)	Cane Train	OPAL MINER10
Queensland History	60 Miles From Cunningham's Gap	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 2
Rabbit Trapper	Tanglefoot Harry	OPAL MINER 4
Railways	Werris Creek	BIG WATER 2
Railways	The Once-Great Railway Family	BIG WATER 12
Railways	The Western Mail	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 4
Railways	The Injune Railway	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 9
Railways	The Long Haul	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 14
Railways	Cane Train	OPAL MINER10
Railways	Coal Train	OPAL MINER14
Railways	The Flying Gang	OUTBACK CAFE 2
Railways	Beside A Railway Line	OUTBACK CAFE 4
Railways	Ridin' On The Fruit Train	OUTBACK CAFE 18
Rain	Hey Rain!	OPAL MINER1/OUTBACK CAFE13
Rain	Rain In The Channel Country	OPAL MINER18
Rain	Send Her Down Hughie!	OUTBACK CAFE 6
Real Estate!	The Magpies Said	BIG WATER13
Relationship	Turn Again	HEART OF TOWN 9
Relationship	The Lighthouse	HEART OF TOWN 11
Relationships	Stay On Shore	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 5
Relationships	Sow The Seeds Of Love	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 15
Relationships	If I Could	HEART OF TOWN 6
Relationships	The Southern Cross	HEART OF TOWN 19
Relationships	Hard On A Lass	OPAL MINER 5
Relationships	Mount Tully Lullaby	OPAL MINER 9
Relationships	Lullaby	OPAL MINER 21
Religious	Turn! Turn! Turn!	BIG WATER14
Religious	The Light Of The Star	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 1
Religious	The Net	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 7
Religious	The Marree Line	HEART OF TOWN 3
Rivers	Big Water	BIG WATER 4
Rivers	When The Cooper's Coming Down	BIG WATER 5
Rivers	Don't Let The Murray Run Dry	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 3
Rivers	A Nautical Yarn	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 6
Rivers	Rain In The Channel Country	OPAL MINER 18
Rivers	Where The Rivers Rise	OUTBACK CAFE 14
Sailor	Old Man's Song.	OPAL MINER 22
Sailors	Back To The Sea Again, Johnny	BIG WATER10
Sailors	A Nautical Yarn	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 6
Sailors	On Top Of High Peak	HEART OF TOWN14
Sailors	Trochus Boats	OPAL MINER 2
Sailors	Hard On A Lass	OPAL MINER 5
Sea	The Humpback Whale	BIG WATER 6
Sea	Listen To The Wind	BIG WATER 7
Sea	Back To The Sea Again, Johnny	BIG WATER 10
Sea	A Fisherman Bold	HEART OF TOWN 10
Sea	The Lighthouse	HEART OF TOWN 11
Sea	We'll Meet On The Shore	HEART OF TOWN 17
Sea	Trochus Boats	OPAL MINER 2
Sea	Lighthouse Keeper & the Herring Gull	OPAL MINER 3
Sea	Old Man's Song.	OPAL MINER 22
Sea	Balmain	OUTBACK CAFE 10
Seals	The Sealers' Slaves,	OUTBACK CAFE 11

Seasons	The Hills And Rocks of Home	BIG WATER11
Seasons	Turn! Turn! Turn!	BIG WATER14
Seasons	Girraween	OUTBACK CAFE 17
Ships	Back To The Sea Again, Johnny	BIG WATER 10
Sleep	Mount Tully Lullaby	OPAL MINER 9
Sleep	Lullaby	OPAL MINER 21
South Australia	Call It Flamin' Hot	HEART OF TOWN 5
Sport (backyard)	Backyard At Hurlstone Park	OUTBACK CAFE 16
Stars	The Southern Cross	HEART OF TOWN 19
Sugar Cane	Don't Let 'Em Close Our Mill	HEART OF TOWN 1
Sugar Cane	Where The Cane Fires Burn	OPAL MINER 7
Sugar Cane	Hey Rain!	OPAL MINER1/OUTBACK CAFE13
Sugar Cane	Cane Train	OPAL MINER10
Swagman	Outback	OUTBACK CAFE 7
Sydney (convict history)	Mrs Thomas Moore	OUTBACK CAFE 5
Sydney (history)	Balmain	OUTBACK CAFE 10
Tasmania (history)	The Sealers' Slaves,	OUTBACK CAFE 11
Taxes	The GST Calypso	HEART OF TOWN 16
Tin Mining	60 Miles From Cunningham's Gap	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 2
Torres Strait	Trochus Boats	OPAL MINER 2
Trains	The Once-Great Railway Family	BIG WATER12
Trains	The Western Mail	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 4
Trains	The Injune Railway	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 9
Trains	The Long Haul	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 14
Trains	Cane Train	OPAL MINER10
Trains	Coal Train	OPAL MINER14
Trains	The Flying Gang	OUTBACK CAFE 2
Trains	Beside A Railway Line	OUTBACK CAFE 4
Trains	Ridin' On The Fruit Train	OUTBACK CAFE 18
Travel	Aurelia	MOON CALLER1
Trees	Frost On The Wattle	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 13
Trees	Cubby Tree	OUTBACK CAFE 9
Trees	She's Like A Tree	MOON CALLER1
Victorian History	A Nautical Yarn	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ6
War	Pte Herbert Thomas Scard	MOON CALLER10
War	Turn The World Around	BIG WATER1
War	Turn! Turn! Turn!	BIG WATER14
War	Turn Again	HEART OF TOWN 9
War	Old Nugget	HEART OF TOWN 15
Water	Big Water	BIG WATER 4
Water	When The Cooper's Coming Down	BIG WATER 5
Water	Where The Rivers Rise	OUTBACK CAFE 14
Weather	Frost On The Wattle	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 13
Weather	Crazy Weather	MOON CALLER 5
Weather	Call It Flamin' Hot	HEART OF TOWN 5
Weather	Hey Rain!	OPAL MINER1/OUTBACK CAFE 13
Weather	Rain In The Channel Country	OPAL MINER18
Weather	Tales Of The Wind	OPAL MINER 20
Weather	Send Her Down Hughie!	OUTBACK CAFE 6
Weather	Wet Season Blues	MOON CALLER 8
Whales	The Humpback Whale	BIG WATER 6
Wilderness	Girraween	OUTBACK CAFE 17
Wind	Listen To The Wind	BIG WATER 7
Wind	Tales Of The Wind	OPAL MINER 20
Wind	Balmain	OUTBACK CAFE 10
Wine (cheap!)	Plastic Container Of Plonk	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 8
Winter	Frost On The Wattle	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 13
Winter	The Monkeys Sing Soprano	OPAL MINER19/OUTBACK CAFE 8
Women	Hard On A Lass	OPAL MINER 5
Women	Mrs Thomas Moore	OUTBACK CAFE 5
Women	The Sealers' Slaves,	OUTBACK CAFE 11
Work	Werris Creek	BIG WATER 2
Work	The Humpback Whale	BIG WATER 6
Work	Back To The Sea Again, Johnny	BIG WATER 10
Work	The Once-Great Railway Family	BIG WATER 12
Work	The Long Haul	JUST A BIT OF QUARTZ 14
Work	Don't Let 'Em Close Our Mill	HEART OF TOWN 1
Work	On Top Of High Peak	HEART OF TOWN 14
Work	Where The Cane Fires Burn	OPAL MINER 7
Work	Trochus Boats	OPAL MINER 2
Work	Cane Train	OPAL MINER10
Work	Coal Train	OPAL MINER14
Work	Till The Camels Come	OUTBACK CAFE 1
Work	The Flying Gang	OUTBACK CAF E2
Work	The Sealers' Slaves,	OUTBACK CAFE 11
World War 1	Old Nugget	HEART OF TOWN 15
World War II	Gardens In The Kunai Grass	BACKBONE OF THE NATION

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