ABC ABC Country

The Cockaleechie Hall is the focal point for our small farming community here on the Eyre Peninsula.It is where the local families come together to socialise and a retain a sense of community. Some still get their mail in a post box in the old hall. Cricket is still played in summer. Weddings, Birthdays, Anything, are still celebrated in the hall. As the world changes in country Australia the Cockaleechie mob know that their identity is linked to the small local community that live around the Cockaleechie Hall. They share a past, the present, and the future challenges of living in the country. At the annual Christmas Tree when extended families come back to Cockaleechie to join the locals the wonder of community is present as children cheer Father Christmas arriving on the fire truck, parents organise the shared tea, some have a beer at Pee Wee's bar area, and grand parents enjoy the children. The following Lyric I hope gives a snap shot of what our community at Cockaleechie is like in country Australia.

Cockaleechie Hall

Amongst Out the paddocks by the rail is a hall
Been there for 50 years the walls still standing tall
It’s seen the seasons come and go it’s maybe seen it all
Used by community events large and small
It has its own legends the stories are told
From the past and the present the young and the old
Like the folk who built this hall stepping out so bold
Late at night round the fire true yarns are only told
CHORUS
So raise your glasses high for a toast
For the things that we value most
There’s family and friends and community
At the Cockaleechie Hall

It’s seen tennis players and cricketers of class
It’s seen good seasons and droughts come and pass
It seen the odd beer drunk from a long neck made of glass
It’s seen kids playing in the pine trees and out on the grass
Fantastic nights with dinner based on a theme
Shared family teas with desserts stuffed with cream
The annual AGM an organising team
The blokes out in the old hall hatching up a scheme

Chorus

Some remember Cockastock and the rock and roll band
Some remember working bees and lending a hand
Some remember the opening an event so big and grand
Making Cockaleechie renound in all the land
There was the movies and the dances late into the night
It is rumoured some explosions that gave some a fright
And the Hall Christmas tree the children a delight
If your the last in the hall just turn off the light

Chorus

TEWINGA

There's a place on the way to Bowraville that has a tiny hall
Folks go there not to play bingo but have themselves a ball
You can dance, you can mime, if you think you can't sing
You can bring along some noise if you feel like practicing

We're in Tewinga, you never know who you'll meet
In Tewinga, with the right boots on your feet
I Love Tewinga, and anything that is sweet
Tewinga, they don't even have a main street

The sheep sing along to the Beach Boys Ba Babara an
And if our country music jamboree all goes to plan
We'll invite the whole of Australia and have a barbecue
I know a social butterfly that would like to meet you

We're in Tewinga, you never know who you'll meet
In Tewinga, with the right boots on your feet
I Love Tewinga, and anything that is sweet
Tewinga, they don't even have a main street

Why not grab your lagerphone and beat one to four
Never mind the three they're all rolling on the floor
Beware of the bastard blow fly that's not in the key
A freeloader that's traveled from the nearby piggery

We're in Tewinga, you never know who you'll meet
In Tewinga, with the right boots on your feet
I Love Tewinga, and anything that is sweet
Tewinga, they don't even have a main street

Beswick(Lyrics) 8/09/2010

Digging Up The Coal 'Neath Yallingup

Verse 1

We camped the grounds of Smith's Beach shore
Listened to the crack as the waves implored
The dark night’s gift of the stars encore
But there ain’t no more camping there

They ripped the guts from the grass and bark
Built the condos and the gray car park
“Here have a dollar” said the shark
“Come and be a millionaire”

Chorus

If you dig the coal 'neath Yallingup
And scar us more with rot
Come the day the your sons will pay
And cry upon your plot
Blackened by your soot
And your greed afoot
Digging up the coal 'neath Yallingup

Verse 2

We explored the cape along the trail
And watched the roos and the humpback whale
Drew in breath of the salt on sail
But they’ll rape the country air

They’ll rip the guts from the grass and bark
Build the mine and the gray car park
“Here have a dollar” says the shark
“Come and be a millionaire”

Bridge

Here's a drink to the wine district
Fare the well my lady lady fair
Pack up your vines give the glass a lick
Brush the verdant from your hair

Chorus Repeat

RETURNING TO TAYLORS ARM

Dave departed Central, on the Casino bound train
He'd been travellin', now he's going home
Macksvilles where he'll stop, after dark he'll be met
Katrina is his friend, Taylors Arm is his home
He looks forward to arriving, at the tiny local pub
A Thirsty Dave will order, a light beer or two
Time to tell some stories, adventures from his heart
Les can't wait to hear, his mates voice over a brew

It's been a long watch
A few words won't do any harm
Some folks can't wait to see Dave
Returning to Taylors Arm

As he sat in the aisle, of an almost empty carriage
Doin' some thinkin', over a railway pie
With no one beside him, bags by his feet
Chance for a snooze, and wake at Uangai
With eyes wide open, the lights are on
Coffee being served, before it turns dark
Hands in his pocket, he takes out a pen
A Poem on his ticket, It's almost dark

It's been a long watch
A few words won't do any harm
Some folks can't wait to see Dave
Returning to Taylors Arm

He missed the flood, fire and drought
and the big storm, when lightning struck
A humble Dave, will see his parrot
Pat his dog, she's had a pup
When he arrived, back in town
He has the time, for a light beer or two
Told a story, before departing
Les got to hear, his mates voice over a brew

RBeswick (Words) 7/09/2010

GIRRALONG IS NUMBER ONE

Up in the hills west of Bowraville
is a place called Girralong
It's not a town or village but a Hamlet
That has a Billabong
Lawrie lives up there with his dog,
his parrot and a sheep
And he listens to the radio all day
up until he goes to sleep
He rings up Fiona to report district gossip
From his neighbors chook yard
Shes our local breakfast announcer
and begins the day with a giggle and laugh

Filled with pot holes and roadkill
and a farmer selling cow done
Girralong is worth a look
Girralong is number one

Girralong might only be small
With not a shop to buy stuff like ham
And The place may one day vanish
If they go ahead and build this dam
The chooks are getting restless
A rumour's spreading they are forming a union
With the sheep they'll stand united
So they'll never fall in my opinion
Harldly anybody lives in Girralong
and in winter they tell me it's cold
I thought about doing some diggin' there
But I think I'd be lucky to find fools gold

Filled with pot holes and roadkill
and a farmer selling cow done
Girralong is worth a look
Girralong is number one

Beswick 6/09/2010

The Ballad of Johns River
By Marion Stafford

Verse 1:
It all began long ago
Governor Macquarie had three sons, you know?
Camden, Stewart and the youngest John
Johns River is named after the last one
It’s a place where cows live and graze
and dairy farmers spend their days
Where grass and trees are lush and green
and waterfalls feed our streams

Chorus:

There’s a place that I love best
A special town, where I’ve made my nest
The mountain views will make you shiver
And this town I love is called Johns River

Verse 2:
As a town we’re pretty small
But in our hearts we all stand tall
The people here are great to meet
And our pub is the best place to eat
We have a little primary school
Where caring and sharing are the rule
Respect is taught as the children learn and play
Good old fashion manners in this modern day

Chorus:

Verse 3:
Climb the mountain called South Brother,
and you’ll see a view like no other,
Ocean and forest for mile after mile,
Such beauty that can only make you smile,
The highway now bypasses the town,
so the noise levels are a little down
But above the distant traffic that’s heard,
Are the sweeter sounds of nature and her birds.

Chorus:

CHORUS:
A long way from Sydney, between the hills and the coast
there's a town called Cobargo that I like the most.
With loggers and greenies and people I know
we're close to the beach and not far from the snow.

We've got spiders and snakes, roos and wombats,
kikuyu and eucalypts and lots of cow pats,
farmers and artists and those on the dole
and warm fuzzy workshops to get in touch with your soul.

CHORUS

There's floods and there's droughts and bushfires as well,
'though which one we get when, you never can tell,
But the volunteer sevices will save us we hope,
so long as they're not all out 'making rope'.

CHORUS

We poduce honey, milk, beef and cheese,
but don't come here in winter, you're likely to freeze,
and don't come here in summer, you surely will roast
in a town called Cobargo that I like the most.

How this old towns been good to me
looking back under this fig tree
all the times
of fun and laughter

lismore's the town that I come from
I love it so much its in this song
even the air
is fresh and familiar

the energy's great it is so real
the crystal in the ground you can really feel
that's why this town
sure is something

CHORUS

BRIDGE
I found my girl in my home town
she's true blue and true blonde
my girl and this town
is all that I live for

CHORUS
CHORUS
FINISH

When you're a tourist

Got on board the old Hound down in Melbourne
Headed north on highway Thirty one
Crossed the Murray river at Wodonga
Look out Sydney city here we come.
-------Chorus-------
When you’re a Tourist, When you’re a Tourist
You’ve gotta keep your eyes wide open
When you’re a Tourist, Yes a Tourist
Keep your eyes wide open all the time
Keep your eyes wide open all the time
----
Toured all round Sydney and the Harbour
Opera house and Bondi in a day
Headed north along the East Coast highway
Finally made a stop in lovely Byron Bay.
To ----Chorus----

You can go across to Hawaii, Visit all the states of USA
But you’ll never feel, the magic or the zeal
Till you’ve been to see controversy Byron Bay.
(To Chorus----)

Streets of Honour

We’ve had fires, floods and droughts along the beautiful Macleay
As it winds down from the highlands and out into Trial Bay.
There’s ghosts of Koori families, of timber men so brave,
Of sailors and their passengers lost down beneath the waves.
There’s early farming families, working from dusk to dawn
Trying to scratch a living, growing cane and wheat and corn.
There’s the cattlemen on horses riding through the ranges,
Searching for their stock, facing loneliness and dangers

Chorus
There are many passing memories of those who’ve gone before,
But Kempsey has something special for those who went to war.
They’re known as Streets of Honour that help us all recall
The memories of those young ones, standing proud, erect and tall.

We don’t have a harbour bridge or Opera House so grand.
We don’t have a Big Thing but you must really understand
We’ve got singers, artists, writers and sporting legends too.
We’ve got pride in our valley, its scenery and its views.
Our nearby national parks, our headlands and our beaches.
There’s always something happening, something there to teach us
And reminding us eternally of sacrifices made.
They’re our Streets of Honour, whose memories will never fade.

Chorus
There are many passing memories of those who’ve gone before,
But Kempsey has something special for those who went to war.
They’re known as Streets of Honour that help us all recall
The memories of those young ones, standing proud, erect and tall.

Repeat Chorus

Garry Munday. Kempsey. 7.9.2010.

BACKGROUND NOTES :
Marrawah, on the NW corner of Tasmania, was originally inhabited by the small tribal group, the Peerapper people.
The name Marrawah means Number One place.
Marrawah is most usually pronounced either Marrawah or Marrawoar. Nobody really cares too much about it.
(Mid tempo, maybe a bit reggae/ bluegrass feel)

MARRAWAH

VERSE 1 :
A long, long time ago the black man come
He was lookin’ for a good place, lookin’ for some sun.
He found lots of tasty game and seafood galore
So decided to stay and he called it Marrawah. (pronounced as if Marrawoar)

(spoken) : That’s Peerapper language, means number one place
(a voice) : It’s Marrawah mate, get it right.

CHORUS :
So Marrawah or Marrawoar, it’s all the same to us,
We don’t care how you say the word, we rarely make a fuss.
We’ve got clean air, good folk, it really is quite nice
It may be bloody windy, but it’s our own paradise.

VERSE 2 :
Much later came the white man, lookin’ for a home
Somewhere that he could clear some land and let his cattle roam.
He shot those pesky thylacines and devils by the score
They were hard, hard men who settled Marrawah (-oar)

(spoken – another voice) : That’s Marrawah mate, get it right

INSTRUMENTAL BREAK / VERSE

VERSE 3 :
And then there came the surfers, a dodgy, hairy lot
Looking for some waves at a west coast secret spot.
Some of them had football skills, could kick a ball quite far
So the welcome mat was rolled out if they played for Marrawah.

(spoken – another voice) : That’s Marrawoar mate, get it right.

CHORUS

BACKGROUND NOTES :
Marrawah, on the NW corner of Tasmania, was originally inhabited by the small tribal group, the Peerapper people.
The name Marrawah means Number One place.
Marrawah is most usually pronounced either Marrawah or Marrawoar. Nobody really cares too much about it.
(Mid tempo, maybe a bit reggae/ bluegrass feel)
VERSE 1 :
A long, long time ago the black man come
He was lookin’ for a good place, lookin’ for some sun.
He found lots of tasty game and seafood galore
So decided to stay and he called it Marrawah. (pronounced as if Marrawoar)

(spoken) : That’s Peerapper language, means number one place
(a voice) : It’s Marrawah mate, get it right.

CHORUS :
So Marrawah or Marrawoar, it’s all the same to us,
We don’t care how you say the word, we rarely make a fuss.
We’ve got clean air, good folk, it really is quite nice
It may be bloody windy, but it’s our own paradise.

VERSE 2 :
Much later came the white man, lookin’ for a home
Somewhere that he could clear some land and let his cattle roam.
He shot those pesky thylacines and devils by the score
They were hard, hard men who settled Marrawah (-oar)

(spoken – another voice) : That’s Marrawah mate, get it right

INSTRUMENTAL BREAK / VERSE

VERSE 3 :
And then there came the surfers, a dodgy, hairy lot
Looking for some waves at a west coast secret spot.
Some of them had football skills, could kick a ball quite far
So the welcome mat was rolled out if they played for Marrawah.

(spoken – another voice) : That’s Marrawoar mate, get it right.

CHORUS

Gordonvale

All the Queensland sugar towns each can tell a tale
This song it tells the story of the place called Gordonvale
Nestled on the Mulgrave River running clear and strong
It started as a packers camp for the mountain trails so long
“Cause there’s gold in them there hills and further up they’re scratchin tin”
They found the oak and cedar stands and the cutters moved on in

Chorus
All the Queensland sugar towns each can tell a tale
But the people and the stories take me back to Gordonvale

If you’ve ever been to Gordonvale and you look up in the sky
You’ll see the mighty pyramid standing there so high
The first people of this land said it was a sacred place
These days its better known for the grueling pyramid race
The race started with a bet over 50 years way back
Between 2 young cane cutters up and down that mountain track

Chorus
All the Queensland sugar towns each can tell a tale
But the people and the stories take me back to Gordonvale

Up in the deep north where the heat can break your will
The cane is strong and sweet and it feeds the local mill
There’s one last dubious honour and you’ll see it on the roads
Im sorry folks but yeah that’s right we had the first cane toads
So please forgive us 'cause you see its all part of the tale
And if it helps us win the origin then its “Good on ya Gordonvale”

Chorus
All the Queensland sugar towns each can tell a tale
But the people and the stories take me back to Gordonvale
Yeah all the Queensland sugar towns each can tell a tale
It’s the people and the stories that take me back to Gordonvale

Note: when i play this to my mates i use these chords...
G C G

Em C G

I wrote this song about the small town of Trunkey, also known as Trunkey Creek, situated on the road between Bathurst and Goulburn NSW, not far from the Abercrombie River. Although a tiny town in size, it has a community with a big heart and pulls together for key events every year. It also has a very rich goldmining history.

On the road to Abercrombie is a tiny place called Trunkey
Nestling in the hills by the side of a silvery creek
Golden days
Summer haze
Shearing sheep in the shimmering heat
Going back over memories sweet
That's what Trunkey means to me

Chorus:
Take me back to Trunkey that's where I want to be
All my friends are there with stories to share, so much history
Oh, my heart belongs in Trunkey
That's the place for me
True gold can be found in this tiny town, why don't you come and see

There are yarns in the pub at Trunkey, that tell of days of yore
Billy cans, boots and sundries bought at Fred Davies' store
Frosty nights
Bright firelight
Gold in the ground that's never been found
You'll learn even more if you hang around
I like that...about Trunkey

Chorus:
Take me back to Trunkey, that's where I want to be
All my friends are there with stories to share, so much history
Oh, my heart belongs in Trunkey
That's the place for me
True gold can be found in this tiny town, why don't you come and see

There's gold in the hills of Trunkey, many will tell you so
Pan the creek for colours to seek in the sunshine it will glow
Time stands still
If you will
Your spirit free where you want to be
Dream in the shade of an old gum tree
That's what Trunkey means to me

Chorus:
Take me back to Trunkey, that's where I want to be
All my friends are there with stories to share, so much history
Oh, my heart belongs in Trunkey
That's the place for me
True gold can be found in this tiny town, why don't you come and see
(Last line of chorus repeated as follows)
True gold can be found in this tiny town, come fill your heart for free.

Lyrics by Melody Bland, Trunkey Creek NSW

Brewed in Beaufort

Along the Western Highway
colours all around
there aint any other between Arrarat and Melbourne bound
Blink and you could miss us
when you travel through
but i'd love to see you stop one ay for a beaufort rendezvous

CHORUS Brewed in Beaufort Western highway Rendezvous

Mt Cole for crystals waters
A lake to cool off in
Brewed in Beaufort are the locals living on the land
Clubs and groups of young and old,we love to lend a hand

CHORUS Brewed in beaufort Western highway Rendezvous

Rainbow Serpent Festival
we love to entertain
Hippy's all around us
watch the colours rain
Colours Rain
Brewed in Beaufort
Western highway
Rendezvous
Don't blink don't drive through
Western highway
Rendevous

[b]< ODE TO PINOCCHIO >[/b]
As cunning and as sly as an old vixen
and her word not worth a brass razoo
with smile just as false as her hair colour
and friends she'd count on fingers of two.

With the dial of an ugly old rodent
and snake eyes to put the taipan to shame
if she gets at you, you'll always remember
her litany of lies and self serving games.

She was born in the slums of old Britain
in the days before her giving a toss
learnt her trade from the dead beat commos
in the land of the great southern cross.

When the day came when she did travel
with no where in mind really at all
she slummed herself across to victoria
where the spin and the stories grow tall.

Then she humped her back pack into Lalor
looked around, with wrinkled brow
said somewhat upbeat, a safe Labor seat
that was thirty or so years ago now.

Together of times at the Workers Club
with a Chardonnay or two cross her chest
she'll tell of the MPs she slept with
and how they often lived up to the test.

And she'll tell of the PM she befriended
who's goal was to be number one in life
her eyes on Kev's back were fastened
a target waitin' for Pinocchio's knife.

On this day they witnessed the slaughter
the union thugs who organised the coup
she shared with them great satisfaction
then declared, Kev'll be in my cabinet too.

I've been there and back in my travels
and women like her I've known are few
thank God for this great blessing
he has been kind to me,what about you?

Cheers Tom.

ORBOST

On a bench outside Orbost Post Office sits old Tom
He waits in the morning sun for people to come
Busy people, noisy people, fussy people, rough people,
Tough people, grumpy people, proud, pompous and polite people

Chorus:
Old Tom’s not from around here
Where he comes from has never been clear
He lives in a tumbledown shack all alone
But he knows it’s people that make a town a home

Sweet people, sour people, silly people, serious people
Funny people, young people, pedantic, peculiar, and pickled people
Coarse people, gaunt people, broad people, short people and tall
The old man on the post office bench knows them all

Chorus: Old Tom’s not from around here (etc)

May Richardson, Sue Jackson, Tavish and Auntie Irene from the corner store
Georgie Galarovic, Jock Cameron, Sergio and Uncle Gus from next door
They come for their mail and linger to pass the time of day
With an old man who’s found his home and is here to stay.

Chorus: Old Tom’s not from around here (etc)

Dreaming of Charters Towers.

Well It's been years since I've been home
I'm all depressed and all alone
All the wild times in the south I'll leave behind
I never tried to save a cent all my money I just spent
I'm dreamin of going home now for some time
Oh to be back home again at xmas time

Chorous:

Yes I'm dreaming of Charters Towers tropical gardens all the flowers
when the poinciana trees are all in bloom
It's december and I'm glad I'll be home with mum and dad
With a xmas tree in the corner of the room
Oh those happy days will be back with me soon

____

So tonight I'm heading north all my things are in one port
when I get back home there'll be much to recall
I don't fit in down here no more so when I would out through that door
I'll keep heading north untill I'm in "the world"
Charters Towers to me you'll always be my girl

Chorus:

Yes I'm dreaming of Charters Towers tropical gardens and all the flowers
when the poinciana trees are all in bloom
It's december and I'm glad I'll be home with mum and dad
with a xmas tree in the corner of the room
oh those happy days will be back with me soon
Just sittin around playin country tunes
Oh those happy days will be back with me soon

Bushy Boyd. ( Townsville )

Here's my attempt at paying homage to the place I call home ...

Mary River Heads

Verse

Backpackers heading to Fraser
As onto the barges they go
Speaking in languages foreign
Their 4-wheel drives all in a row
Kingfisher beckons for tourists
But that’s not the place for me
I long for the pace
Of this quieter place
Where the Mary flows into the sea

Chorus

Where the mighty Mary River heads
To the sea, to slow down, to unwind
That’s where I’ll be heading too
Because I know that I’m going to find
A place that’s all mine - calm and peaceful
On a porch, looking out to the sea
When the full moon sits high over Fraser
It’s the only place I want to be

Verse

The trailers are crowding the car-park
The ramp launches anything that floats
Visitors offload their flotilla
Of tinnys and fine fishing boats
And they check that their eskies are loaded
Before pushing their craft out to sea
With the tackle and bait
Lying in wait
For the catch they’re hoping to see

Chorus

When the mighty Mary River heads
To the sea, to slow down, to unwind
That’s where you should be heading too
Because I know that you’re going to find
Fishers telling fabulous stories
As their boats head slowly to sea
If a full moon sits high over Fraser
On the water’s where you ought to be

Bridge (optional)

Some here have million dollar houses
Even more have million dollar views
But what I have, money just cannot buy
In my quiet little street
In this sleepy little town
Where life, and the Mary, so slowly flows by

Verse

Because life in the Bay gets too busy
It’s a city that’s growing too fast
And my soul is looking for sanctuary
Putting life at that pace in the past
I know that the Mary’s behind me
As I stare at a northerly sun
Pointing the way
At the end of the day
To the place where her sweet waters run

Chorus

And when the mighty Mary River heads
To the sea, to slow down, to unwind
That’s where I’ll be heading too
Because I know what I’m going to find
When the full moon sits high over Fraser
And the fishing boats head out to sea
And the sleepy Mary River heads
To the only place I want to be

This little town called River Heads
Is the only place I want to be

THIS IS NOT A SONG ABOUT A SINGLE TOWN. IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY YOU GROW UP AND WORK THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TERRITORY. THAT’S MY HOME …….TOWN.

Lite the fuse on a rocket………head’n south on’a Friday night
Splitt’n it through the traffic…..Gott’a put Darwin town out’a sight
Hit the Hayes Creek jump’n up…….Started grab’n gears slow’n down
Launched it off the otherside…and come slid’n into Katherine Town
I had that jukebox pump’n ……music echoed in the night
I snapped it back another gear and made that big dog bite.

CHOURS
Cause I love my hillbilly music…..love country rock and roll
Cart’n freight …going interstate… that music rocks my soul

It’ll make ya blood start pump’n….when ya mix it with a V8’s crack
Hang’n off that steer’n wheel it’ll make ya hair blow back

Sent it out’a K Town……..chase’n those tail lights down
Foot stuck through the firewall…..pull ya head in I’m come’n round
Put Mataranka in the mirror……shook the windows of Hi-way Inn
Dunmarra was back behind me as Saturday morn was ease’n in

CHOURS
Cause I love my hillbilly music…..love country rock and roll
Cart’n freight …going interstate….that music rocks my soul
It’ll make ya’ blood start pump’n…..when ya mix it with a V8’s crack
Hang’n off that steer’n wheel it’ll make ya’ hair blow back

Beat the sunshine into Tennent Creek ….and was gone before the crack of dawn
Everyone one was getting up…….and I aint begun to yawn
Cause it’s five hours flat to Alice …….and I aint stick’n round
I’m standing on the governor……. soot’n out a V8 sound.

Cause I love my hillbilly music….love country rock and roll
Cart’n freight going interstate… that music rocks my soul
It’ll make ya blood start pump’n …when ya mix it with a V8’s crack
Hang’n off that steer’n wheel it’ll make ya hair blow back

The territory makes ya hair blow back

Wanga 04

Northcliffe, WA

Chorus:
This is the little town where I found love
It wasn’t the love I was thinking of.
I was thinking of, I don’t know who,
I was thinking of someone, who wouldn’t be you.

Verse 1:
We could have built our house, a little house,
Just on five hobby acres.
You could have been a farmer,
Mud love, my man in boots.
We could have talked of cattle strains,
The dogs you lost you loved,
I could have treasured all that rain rain raining in your blood.

Verse 2:
We could have driven down, ridden down,
Swam down in the cool dark river,
We could have hung around, hung about,
Made our outdoors dinner,
Splitting logs, lit a fire,
Kindled some love,
Felt inspired to save the forest, save the planet. Hey, save me!

Verse 3:
Yes, you could have been that man, that feral one,
Making love in the trees.
How could I love a timber man?--at least,
That’s what I thought.
It goes against the peace, the green,
The retreat from stuff I sought.
Such a funny thing, this love love love in a small small town.

Final chorus:
To my city friends I disappeared without a trace
Into this place, into this place.
This is the little town where I found love.
It wasn’t the love I was thinking of.
I was thinking of, I don’t know who,
I was thinking of someone, who wouldn’t be you.

Song Competition

Riverlanders

She is the Hydraplat rider, up so high no one can hide her,
she moves from tree to tree like a sugar glider,
she climbs like a spider, that Hydraplat rider.

He’s the truck engine tuner looking forward to just one schooner,
he is a child under his dooner, he is the apricot tree pruner
he does it now or sooner.

They cross the Murray on the Lyrup ferry, situated near the Riverland’s Berri
They work outdoors and are suntanned very,
They pick a the cherry and the grape vine berry

He is the tractor driver, he spreads the organic fertilizer, the soil reviver
she swims in the river, that Lady Godiver, she is a sustainable life striver
she couldn’t be aliver, a real survivor.

She is the citrus sorter, she is the fruit grower’s daughter
she is the school teacher who taught her, he is the husband that caught her
AND THEY ALL NEED SOME WATER.

Here is my attempt at a song, just came into my head one day.Its really about thousands of towns, the ones you drive through blink and miss them
This Little old Town

Verse1
People are leaving i don't know why
they say there's no future this towns gonna die
I'm gonna stay here I'm not like the rest
cause i think this town is the best
this little old town
Verse 2
This little old towns been good to me
there's things here that people just can't see
you can walk the streets without any fear
hell i don't know why everybody ain't living in
this little old town
Chorus
In this little old town you can feel at ease
you can turn to the wind you can run with the breeze
in this little old town you can say gidday
to everyone who passes your way
in this little old town you can smell the flowers
you can sit and do nothing for hours and hours
in this little old town you can look to the sky
you can watch the birds fly by
Verse3
To tell you the truth nothing every happens here
and nothings changed in many a year
Harry's still sitting outside the grocery store
every time i leave i can't wait to return
to this little old town
now I'm not saying this place is for me
its just a state of mind cant you see
its all in your head believe it or not
whether your happy or whether your not
in your old town
everyone's got there little old town (repeatx3)

I wrote this song about my home town Benalla, but at the same time I try to use the features, weather and a little bit of history from here, to write about the nature of towns generally, and how they reflect who we are as a collective

Heart is where the home is

(Verse 1)
Built upon the Broken River,
The lifeblood of the lake
This town that always delivers
The bridge of memories free to take

(Chorus 1)
There’s magic hidden in her gardens
It’s the answer concealed in her art
She’s always a picture of beauty
Benalla’s forever residing in my heart

(Verse 2)
Leaves litter the streets in autumn
Pollen glides through the air in spring
This town fit for a drunken beggar
Tailored for any wandering king

(Chorus 2)
Eden's nestled within her gardens
Picasso's an admirer of her art
Mugs are bedazzled by her beauty
Benalla's the constant beat in our hearts

(Verse 3)
The summers are getting hotter
Frosty winters feel like they’ll never end
There's not a soul that isn't affected,
But not a soul that wouldn’t lend a hand

(Extension)
We won’t forget the floods,
The fires and the smoke filled skies
Even when the sun turns the color of blood
The thought of home will get us by

(Chorus 3)
Everyone's welcome in her gardens
Every painting’s a tribute to her art
Blind men speak of her beauty
Benalla’s always a mirror into the heart

This is not an entry but a couple of questions about the songwriting competition:

1) If I enter a song that is a little longer than 3 verses and a chorus (e.g. it also has a bridge) will it count against me?

2) Will it count against me if I enter a song about living in a country town but don't include the name of the town itself?

3) Will it count against me if I enter a song where the town is personified (e.g. like in Sara Storer's song "Katherine")?

regards,

Samwise

________________________________________________________________________
From Moderator:

Hi Samwise,

You can view all the official Terms & Conditions here, but a quick answer to your questions is:
1) Your lyric should only include 3 verses and 1 chorus
2) There is no specific requirement to include the actual town name - but, as mentioned in the Rules, the song does have to be about an Australian town.
3) You can personify the town, just so long as the song can be recognised as being 'about an Australian town'

Thanks,
ABC Country

Three Double Five O

Verse 1:
Hey boy, it's been too long
Just want you to know
We're missing you.
How are you geeting on?

So I've helped you out boy
I know you're busy son

Chorus:
Please find enclosed:
Stamped, self-addressed envelope
Postcode reads
Three Double Five O
This is your home boy
Remember Bendigo

Verse 2:
Sitting in my office
On this grey London day
My mind starts to wander
Back to times of work and play

Rousin' for Dad
When shearin' comes round
A clodie at the Shamrock
To wash the dust down
Saving me pay cheques
My heart's London bound

It couldn't be kinder
Ma's handwritten reminder . . .

Chorus:
Please find enclosed:
Stamped, self-addressed envelope
Postcode reads
Three Double Five O
This is your home boy
Remember Bendigo

Verse 3:
Motorbikes weaving
Through Iron Bark trees
How far removed
Could I possibly be?

When this 'letter' stands here
Ma starts sheding a tear

Final Chorus:
Please find at our door:
Stamped, self-addressed envelope
Postcode reads
Three Double Five O
Here I am Ma
I remember Bendigo

Here I am Ma
I'm home, Bendigo

Three Double Five O

Verse 1:
Hey boy, it's been too long
Just want you to know
We're missing you.
How are you geeting on?

So I've helped you out boy
I know you're busy son

Chorus:
Please find enclosed:
Stamped, self-addressed envelope
Postcode reads
Three Double Five O
This is your home boy
Remember Bendigo

Verse 2:
Sitting in my office
On this grey London day
My mind starts to wander
Back to times of work and play

Rousin' for Dad
When shearin' comes round
A clodie at the Shamrock
To wash the dust down
Saving me pay cheques
My heart's London bound

It couldn't be kinder
Ma's handwritten reminder . . .

Chorus:
Please find enclosed:
Stamped, self-addressed envelope
Postcode reads
Three Double Five O
This is your home boy
Remember Bendigo

Verse 3:
Motorbikes weaving
Through Iron Bark trees
How far removed
Could I possibly be?

When this 'letter' stands here
Ma starts sheding a tear

Final Chorus:
Please find at our door:
Stamped, self-addressed envelope
Postcode reads
Three Double Five O
Here I am Ma
I remember Bendigo

Here I am Ma
I'm home, Bendigo

BRIDGETOWN BLUES

1. Tapping up your heels, feel the beat of the drums
My hand in yours, we’ve only just begun
Melodies and guitars are buzzing in the streets
Bridgetown, Bridgetown Blues
Is where we love to meet.

Chorus:
Street stalls, water falls
Night skies, country life
Green hills, blue jeans
Black hats, cool cats
High heels, cold beers
Hand shakes and good mates

2. Kicking up our heels, dancing the night away
Cold beers and hot dogs until the break of day
Lazin on those green banks with the one you love
Listening to that music and gazing stars above.

Chorus

3. Memories of the Blues, makes me think of you
Good ol’ Country air, those flowers in your hair
The way you held me close, just makes me want to boast
Bridgetown Blues, Bridgetown Blues take me there.

Chorus

4. Follow down the river road to coffee at the Cow
Drive that Blackwood country mile
Just to see sweet Rubie smile
And hear the bands play
At “The Bridgetown”, the Bridgetown Blues.

Chorus

I wrote this on the way home to Bacchus Marsh from Werribee. The best part about Bacchus Marsh has always been that my Mum is there waiting for me as she is my home!

Country Mile

CHORUS:
I'll drive a country mile
Just to get to you
whether skies are cloudy
Or even if they're blue
And as I drive that country mile
I'll sing a song or two
Cause I know that I'll be
Comin' home to you

VERSE 1
And as I reach the windmill
And the bare old tree
I know I've reached my halfway mark
My heart will fill with glee
But the road ahead keeps winding
The paddocks are so bare
But I know I'm nearly
Half way there

Chorus

VERSE 2
And as I reach our old street
There's eagles flying high
My spirits lift up higher
But I can't help but sigh
So I'll just keep on drivin'
Past the railway lines
I know this town's a
Special home of mine

Chorus

Yeah Mum
I know that I'll be
Comin' home to you

This song was inspired by the cold August wind that cuts right through you when you stand on the edge of the Hunter River where it meets the sea at Newcastle

NEVER GO BACK
verse 1
she was young and pregnant and the town was too small
to hide from the jeers, stares and cat calls
so she rode on a train through the Hunter's dry fields
to that city of beaches, coal and hot steel

chorus
and she'll never go back there again
no she'll never go back there again

verse 2
well the thunder was rolling when that baby was born
in a tin shack in Stockton and the world was at war
and that babe needed clothing and food and what's more
a hessian sack hung where there once was a door

chorus
and she'll never go back there again
no she'll never go back there again

verse 3
now winter did catch her like a train in the night
and that baby took ill but she put up a fight
but when the August winds came well the battle was lost
and she buried that child 'neath a white wooden cross

chorus
and she'll never go back there again
no she'll never go back there again

BOOMIE...your song about Hedland is spot on. I LOVE IT. Hope you win.

my town is boonooroo queensland
Boonooroo

some newlyweds in brisbane
thought theyd like to get away
go driving in the country
on this lovely summers day

they headed north, then turned east
and right out of the blue
they found our little hide-away
a place called boonooroo

they didnt find a restaurant
or a fancy shopping mall
in fact they couldnt find themselves
any shop at all

but they did find pristine waterways
and lots of mangroves too
the birds and all the wildlife
that live in boonooroo

they gazed on fraser island
on the sandy straits so blue
and thought this is magnificent,
this place called boonooroo

as they headed out they found us
the locals at the 'hub'
the only shop in town as well
our little bowling club

theyd had no chance for coffee
or croissants for two
so they turned into the car park
of bowls club boonooroo

the bar was turned to silence
as is the country way
till they got their drinks and turned to us
smiled and said ' gidday '

they sidled up to terry
and were talking for a while
then the lady asked a question
that made old terry smile

" whats it like living in the country ?"
" i wouldnt know, young wife -
i was born right here in town you see,
and lived here all me life !!!"

eventually, they got the joke
and had a drink or two
but alas they had to leave us
and our lovely boonooroo

they would leave us to our peaceful nights
and our million billion stars
then head back home to brisbane
in that endless line of cars

theyd love this day for ever
and forever hold the view
they were bloody lucky
to find our boonooroo
c - copywrite guy hunter boonooroo qld. 1st september 2010

Home
See how the land lies; see all the blue sky
Listen to the magpies on a typical day.
See all the pretty girls best place in the whole world
Ride a tram to the beachside; take a swim in the bay.
Let your heart take it all in. There’s peace in the busy streets
Let your mind take it all in. Just follow your feet.

Meet me under the clocks babe outside the station
I’ll buy you a coffee in the middle of town
We’ll walk through the alleys buy you a pretty red dress
I’ll slip in beside you and watch while you change
Give a dollar to the busker. We’ll watch all the fast cars
Stand under the elm trees when it starts to rain.

I’m a Melbourne boy, born and bred
It’s in my talk it’s in my head
I’m a Melbourne boy; it’s in my soul
Wanna stand in the city square and watch it grow old.

I’ve worked underneath her
Aint nothing sweeter
Find a parking meter and leave the old car
We could go to the MCG hold my hand and walk with me
Once the bombers win the game babe, we’ll have a drink in the bar.
Love the work of the builders and singing ‘Waltzing Matilda’
While the city watches over me and I watch the stars…

(Van Morrison) I want to stay, stay a while with my own ones
One more day, one more day with my own ones
This old world is so cold it don’t care nothing for your soul
But this old town does…

Once you’ve learned to walk here pretty soon you learn to run
I’ve heard the people from Sydney say we never get the sun
But we get enough babe and you and me make it brighter
The ‘Old Lady Of The South’ is still a girl who has fun
Yeah the Yarra’s pretty dirty and there’s some people been hurt here
But if you love it like I do. Then the stories just begun.

This is based on a childhood memory of the Murray River town of Echuca

Morning Symphony

I like walking through these streets
you never know who you might meet
as the morning lorikeets sing the sun into the sky
Don't need to read the papers
I can hear the bad news later
don't live for broken secrets or the lies

Chorus:

Love to hear those whistles blowing
see the Murray River flowing
as the children cast a line and try to reach the other side
There's a comfort in the knowing
a friendly face that's showing
a welcome smile that seems to shine so bright.

Wide store front windows call me
as I taste my morning coffee
smell the fresh bread from the bakery as I pass by the store
there's a soft dew on the grass
early sun rays dance on glass
stare in wonder of an eagle as it soars

Chorus:

Small country town have flavours
with time enough to savour
the orchestra of mowers and cicadas in the trees
As I continue on I can't help but sing a long
and tell this town just what it means to me
this simple country life has set me free

This is based on a childhood memory of the Murray River town of Echuca

Morning Symphony

I like walking through these streets
you never know who you might meet
as the morning lorikeets sing the sun into the sky
Don't need to read the papers
I can hear the bad news later
don't live for broken secrets or the lies

Chorus:

Love to hear those whistles blowing
see the Murray River flowing
as the children cast a line and try to reach the other side
There's a comfort in the knowing
a friendly face that's showing
a welcome smile that seems to shine so bright.

Wide store front windows call me
as I taste my morning coffee
smell the fresh bread from the bakery as I pass by the store
there's a soft dew on the grass
early sun rays dance on glass
stare in wonder of an eagle as it soars

Chorus:

Small country town have flavours
with time enough to savour
the orchestra of mowers and cicadas in the trees
As I continue on I can't help but sing a long
and tell this town just what it means to me
this simple country life has set me free

Here is one about Bethungra

Family Ground

Intro: E

E A E
On the drive from Coota to Junee you get the chance to think just who you might be
A E
I think I will stop at Bethungra I can hear the sounds of rolling thunder
B A E B A B
I left town with the wattle in full bloom my eyes are tired I think I need a room

Chorus:
E A B E
Up the hill where my cousin lived
A B E
We use to climb that hill when we were all just kids
A B E
The dogs would lead and chase the rabbits
A B E
In a time gone by before all these bad habits

Across the line the house still stands it’s seen some time don’t look so grand

Takes me back to days gone by where a word was truth not just a lie

From up here you can see for miles around I know for a fact it’s my family ground

Repeat Chorus (x2)

Lyrics

Wayne Osborne/ Mark Fitzsummons

This is a poem I wrote recently. I doubt it would ever work as a song, but I thought I might give it a crack anyway. I guess it is pretty self explanitory. Hope you enjoy. Dave

COOKING WITH GAS

“Strewth. It’s Gas!”
Those famous words
Put Roma on the map
A harbinger of things to come
Of our town down the track

Don’t be fooled by the sleepy façade
This town is cooking with gas
Though life may crawl at a snails pace
That snail can crawl quite fast

Tho bustle is gone from the good old days
Riding upon the sheep
Of yards of cattle and bags of wheat
Don’t think we’ve gone to sleep

With holes punched down in every spare
Acre of farming ground
The big boys of exploration
Keep tired wheels turning ‘round

So keep those drills a-spinnin’ lads
Drillin’ through the night
We’re cookin’ with gas
We’ll light the way
Our flame is burning bright

Don’t speak to me of green energy
Black power’s the way to go
Without these blokes who drill our soil
Where would we be, who’d know?

No longer can we ride on sheep
No-one would buy wool socks
And you can’t grow wheat if it won’t rain
And the paddocks are understocked

So keep those drills a-spinnin’ lads
Drillin’ through the night
We’re cookin’ with gas
We’ll light the way
Our flame is burning bright

Strewth, it’s gas!
And Roma’s still here
It keeps our flame burning bright

This is my new song. Music already completed.
I think I have captured Tamworth in January pretty well :)

On Peel Street

I went busking on Peel Street
I wanted to sing my own songs
Good intentions playing beside me
Somehow these things always go wrong.

So I started singing Slim Dusty
I even gave John Williamson a try
With guitar in hand I was playing
Yet people kept strolling on by

Chorus:
They say you can’t hear old country on Peel Street
This new stuff is always too loud
Well the one thing you learn on Peel Street
Is the louder the bigger the crowd

I watched people walk past the small man
Those folks who have played here for years
There’s no time to stop and listen
There could be something better down here

Repeat Chorus:

Then a bunch of young fella’s were wailing
With speakers that blocked out the sky
The passing crowds stopped and listened
Like moths to a flame mesmerized

Repeat Chorus (x2)

LOVENING AND LIVING IN DARWIN

I love living in Darwin NT
She’s Home Sweet Home to me
I love the wet season especially the rain
It brings back life once again

The people are great a multicultural city
A big difference to folks living in the big cities
I love watching those dragon flies
A definite sign of the dry

I love me fishing and Jonahs my name
Yet to catch a fish but I’m game
I love the Mindil Markets Thursday nights
Asian foods delightful cooked just right

I love camping in the great outback
Sometimes I don’t feel like coming back
My grandchildren keep me on my toes
They help me forget all my woes

My children often visit me
Refreshing me like the sea breeze
I love living in Darwin NT
Close by the Arafura Sea

Luke S Morcom
1-9-2010
©

The sweetest town in all the State,
Two, four, five, eight
Just look and you'll appreciate
Two, four, five, eight.

Chorus: Merimbula, lovely with hills, lakes and sea
Always says welcome home to me.

Blue sea and sky predominate
Two, four, five, eight
Folk who smile have helped to create
Two, four, five, eight

Merimbula, lovely with hills, lakes and sea
Always says welcome home to me.

Whate'er my future or my fate
Two, four, five, eight,
Your charm will always captivate
Two, four, five, eight.

Merimbula, lovely with hills, lakes and sea
Always says welcome home to me.

"Mundubbera Magic"

What makes my town a special place,
what makes this jewel shine?
What holds my heart strings evermore
so I can call it mine?
It's every smile and G'day mate,
The "No Strings" helping hand...
The beauty and the bounty of Mundubbera's Promised Land.

CHORUS
So meet me at Mundubbera's gate
Come watch our world go by
Come taste a touch of magic
In the Burnett by'n'by
Come dream your dreams ---- dance the dance
Waltz into town and take a chance
To start anew or wipe away the tears
This little town's been doin' it for years
This little town's been doin' it for years

We're pretty good at cricket,
Martin Love can vouch for that .....
And we're magic on the footy field,
or any old creek flat.
There's chandeliers of citrus,
pearly grapes upon the vine...
And the sweetest cattle country that is ... so, so fine.

CHORUS

We will stand up and be counted ....
in the kitchen or the yards,
Standing up for values try'd'n'true,
we're holding all the cards ...
So with drumming heart and gentle grace,
It whispers "You Belong"
This town of past and present voices, hear them in the song.

My daughter lives in Broome. I travel there from Gundagai. These lyrics are about Broome and the Kimberley.

Key=E, bpm=150 Broome Broome 9/1/10 10:17 AM
Intro: E

Chorus
E
Broome, Broome, / Broome, Broome
A7 E
Well it’s 12 days from heaven and we’re on time tonight
B7
Had the sun in the window and we’re travelling fine
A7
Got the family waiting at the end of the line
E
Broome, Broome, / Broome, Broome

Verse
E
Seen emus eatin’ in the morning light

Dingoes howlin’ moving out of sight
A7
Wattle all around it filled the air
E
Mountain ranges everywhere
B7
Brumbies gather by the old road side
A7 E
Man I tell you it was all out of sight

Chorus

Verse
E
Fella sellin’ snacks by the river side

Coffee strong to keep your eyes real wide
A7
Gave us a snack to take up track
E
Got there didn’t wanna go back
B7
Barker river flowin’ deep and strong
A7
Lillies lying in deep cool pools

Chorus

Verse
E
Deep pools for fishin’ listen to the wind

Kingfishers flyin’ on the wing
A7
Pandanus standin’ all around
E
Old trees whisper their timeless sound
B7
Fish playin’ in the deep cool pools
A7
Goanna watchin’, man he’s no fool

Chorus (sing Broome Broome 3 times and end on last Broome)

NAMBUCCA HEADS IS WHERE YOU ARE

There is a place I want you to see
Just a short stroke from the sea
Spoiled with beauty
Everybody will agree
The seagulls are swarming
Local folks are calling
Tourist are dining
But I'm going to sing

Let me put goose bumps on your skin
Even though I'm not Anthony Quinn
I've got a voice and a guitar
Nambucca Heads is where you are

The river you ought to see
It runs out to the sea
The forest full of trees
It's Brush box country
Surf Club is welcoming
Nippers are encouraging
The lives they are saving
And I'm going to sing

Let me put goose bumps on your skin
Even though I'm not Anthony Quinn
I've got a voice and a guitar
Nambucca Heads is where you are

There is a place I want you to see
Just a short stroke from the sea
Wildlife roaming free
Escape to the country
Bananas ripening
Oysters in the evening
Tourist are dining
And I am going to sing

Let me put goose bumps on your skin
Even though I'm not Anthony Quinn
I've got a re stringed guitar
Nambucca Heads is where you are

RBeswick(words)31/08/2010

Welcome to Scotts Head Mr Wong

The boat people from China know where to go to escape
Not Bondi or Botany, but Scotts Head is the place
As the story goes they once beached on there way
Singing merrily to avoid arrest in Botany Bay

So welcome to Scotts Head Mr Wong
You'll be naturalized when ever you sing this Song
If you can chew our chop suey,
That's all you need to be an Aussie
So Welcome to Scotts Head Mr Wong

A friend of mine remembers the day the chinese had arrived
She reached for her rifle and fortunately she never fired
The mozzies bit the kids so they bought some aeroguard
Then suddenly Scotts Head had more dough than armourgard

So welcome to Scotts Head Mr Wong
You'll be naturalized when ever you sing this Song
If you can go chew our chop suey,
That's all you need to be an Aussie
So Welcome to Scotts Head Mr Wong

For many many years now migrants have settled here
Glasgow, Beunos aries, california and Lancashire
With our Iindiginous buddies we mix well at a barbecue
And Dance along to John Williams singin' Old man Emu

So welcome to Scotts Head Mr Wong!
You'll be naturalized when ever you sing this Song
If you can go chew chop suey,
That's all you need to be an Aussie
So Welcome to Scotts Head Mr Wong

RBeswick31/08/2010 (words)

The Dugong and the Curlew
(Coochiemudlo Island)

When the dugong plays in Moreton Bay and you hear the curlews cryin’
Take your lover by the hand to the golden sands of Coochiemudlo Island
If there’s a warm sea breeze in the sheoak trees and a big full moon is risin’
Take your lover by the hand to the golden sands of Coochiemudlo Island

The sea has many secrets, and she very rarely tells
But there’s one you’ll hear if you put your ear to a sun-dried cowry shell
‘Bout a dugong and a curlew - a story of great love
He lived below in the clear bay waters, she in the skies above
Now once in the terrible whaling days that have long since seen an end
Dugong had to leave his home to help his whale friends
Curlew said she’d wait for him under the bright full moon
Near a mangrove tree by the salty sea and sing her mournful tune

When the dugong plays in Moreton Bay and you hear the curlews cryin’
Take your lover by the hand to the golden sands of Coochiemudlo Island
If there’s a warm sea breeze in the sheoak trees and a big full moon is risin’
Take your lover by the hand to the golden sands of Coochiemudlo Island

It sounds like a tale from the Dreaming, and it touches all our lives
No pub, one shop, no bridge, no cop, our island spirit thrives
You can see it in the eyes of the people, you can feel it in the wind and the waves
Even the jetty gets kissed by the ferry, thirty-three times a day
And the whisp’ring breeze makes love to the trees, you can hear their gentle sighing
And the lights in your eyes are the twinkling skies of Coochiemudlo Island
And as for the fate of the curlew, she did what lovers do
She sang her song for the old dugong and he swam back to the curlew

When the dugong plays in Moreton Bay and you hear the curlews cryin’
Take your lover by the hand to the golden sands of Coochiemudlo Island
If there’s a warm sea breeze in the sheoak trees and a big full moon is risin’
Take your lover by the hand to the golden sands of Coochiemudlo Island
Take your love by the hand to the golden sands of Coochiemudlo Island

See the people down by the river , drinkin` on the best strawberry wine , and you can see the smiles upon the peoples faces , guaranteed to make you feel real fine , and there`s a rope swing there up in the tree , man throws a line in for the fish to see , you can tell he`s a local `round here , `cause when the fish are biting you`ll see him there . ( Chorus ) Longtime a livin` easy when you find a place to live your life , Longtime a livin` here . Longtime a livin` easy ...yeah . (Verse 2 ) So come up here and take the time to look around you and , is it what you really wanted to find , and there`s nothing between it and The Great Dividing Range , and the people up here they got nothing to hide ... yeah . ( Chorus ) So relax and have strawberry and leave all your troubles behind you , and see the smiles upon the peoples faces down by the riverside we`ll have a goodtime ( Chorus - Add live - End ) Thanks Al Keating .

Some History By Rick hely.

What if I were to say, come with me, come today!
We'll go where the sun is warm, where the wildlife live and play

We'll live off the land and grow and expand
see the nights are soft and cool and we can live and learn hand in hand

We will make ourselves a home where we don't have to be alonne
The soil is good and will help us build our kingdome and throne

There'll be a shop and a school and a place to get our tools
and a road to come and go where we can build apon our jewles

There'll be a bank and a show and a place for kids to go
And the folks will pass right through and come again because they know

The early settlers who came down saw a quality to astound
A great place to live and grow within the history of Cooma town

Cooma. by Rick hely

I've been up and I've been down
I've raised my cup, I've heard the sounds
The music made me swing in down here in Cooma.

I've been here and I've been there
Stopped to cheer almost every where
but the music made me stay down here in Cooma

I'm not smart but I know
To grab my car I gotta go
Here the music coming out'a Cooma

What is it, I here you say?
You say what? Another day.
You guna miss out on what they say down in Cooma

Grabbed my ski's, now you know
grabbed yours to, we got'a go
Hit them slopes, down there, just west of Cooma

Grabbed my rod and my bait
You'll come to, just can't wait
Can't wait to hit the lakes just outside cooma

I've been here and I've been there
I've been almost every where
But the music made me cheer right here in Cooma

I've been up and I've been down
Filled my cup when I heard the sounds
The music made me sing down here in Cooma
The music made me swing down here in Cooma
The music's the real thing down here in Cooma.

My Song: Arno Bay
On the Eastern Eyre Peninsula there's a little seaside town
It's cosy and so friendly, it's the happiest place around.
It lies beside the deep blue sea right by the main highway,
That lovely spot I'm talking of, is a place called Arno Bay.

Chorus:
Arno Bay, Arno Bay, that lovely spot I'm talking of is a the place called Arno Bay.

The locals all just love it here; they're happy and carefree,
There's tourism fishing, farming and a trucking industry
A sandy beach and jetty and a salt creek estuary
There's lots and lots of fish to catch and plenty to do and see.
Put in a line at Redbanks, row the creek in a canoe
Walk along the beach, go sailing, there's always things to do.
Get to know some locals, like Jock and pretty Sue,
Pancho, Jacko and Big Jim, just to name a few.

Chorus:
Arno Bay, Arno Bay, that lovely spot I'm talking of is the place called Arno Bay.

They come from near and far from here for a break or to retire,
You'll never find a better place, it's got all that you desire.
There's a Golf Course and a Bowling Green so you can have some fun
A Dirt Circuit track and Yacht Club, it has something for everyone.
So Pack your bags, get in the car and head to Arno Bay
Book in the Park or hire a shack, I know you'll enjoy your stay.
Drink at the pub or down the Club, have a bonza holiday
So next time when you take a break, you can't beat Arno Bay.

Chorus:
Arno Bay, Arno Bay, that lovely spot I'm talking of is the place called Arno Bay.

Good Times at the Gool - by Wally Sanderson October 2009

If you're heading up to Rocky and the day is not so cool

There's a place to wet your whistle at a town that's called THANGOOL

The ' Red Steer" is the first pub as you're driving into town

You can breast up to the bar in there and put some coldies down

In those early days there came the Webbs who owned a General Store

They stocked everything from groceries to fencing gear and more

In those days it was the norm for people running up accounts

There were times that they would tally up to really large amounts

Chorus: If you want to have a beer

Just call in to " The Red Steer"

It's a place to just enjoy the atmosphere

There's a great time had by all

And there's carpets on the wall

It all happens when you visit 'The Red Steer'

This town has kept on growing as a residential spot

With a keen Progress Association doing such a lot

In winter time down on the flats it gets so very cool

But people still like living at the little town, THANGOOL

Yes, people still like living at the little town, THANGOOL