(WRITTEN 25 SEPTEMBER 2021)
JUST AS WE SPIN
WE KNOW THAT THE SUN
WILL RISE IN THE MORNING
WE CAN BLAME FATE
FOR THE NIGHT
WHEN IT COMES WITHOUT WARNING
PUSH THROUGH THE FEAR
IT’S HOLDING YOU BACK
WHEN YOU SHOULD BE FREE
WHEN I’M A NEW STAR
IN YOUR NIGHT
YOU’LL FIND THE COURAGE TO SEE ME
WE WILL WIN THIS FIGHT
AND ILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU
IN THE DARKNESS OF THE NIGHT
I WILL BE RIGHT BESIDE YOU
YEAH WE WILL BE ALRIGHT
MY LOVE WILL BE WITH YOU
IN THE WARMTH OF THE WINTER LIGHT
I WILL BE RIGHT BESIDE YOU
AS UNIVERSE IS LARGE
SO MY LOVE IT IS PATIENT
AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT OR ASK
FOR AN INVITATION
FOR ALL THIS TALK OF LOVE
JUST AS BRIGHT AS A SUN RAY
EVERYTHING TURNS TO DUST
BUT OUR LOVE IS A NEW DAY
OUR LOVE IS A NEW DAY
(WRITTEN 28 JULY 2021)
HOW MUCH WILL IT TAKE
HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT IT
I PROMISE TO MEET YOU THERE
I KNOW YOU CAN MAKE IT
IF YOU, CAN LET YOUR GUARD DOWN
FOR FEAR CAN’T DEFEAT YA
AND ILL ALWAYS BE WITH YA
JUST AS I WAS THERE WHEN
THE TEARS TRIED TO BEAT YA
BUT YOU, STEPPED UP TO THE LINE
RUN REBEL GIRL. RUN RUN THE WORLD.
KNOW WHO YOU ARE
IS NOT WHAT YOU DO
THE MEDAL IT HANGS ON JUST
ONE PART OF YOU
AS IT RESTS, ON TOP OF YOUR HEART
IF I CAN’T TAKE YOUR HAND
OR DRY YOUR TEAR
TRUST THAT YOUR SISTER WILL
ALWAYS BE NEAR
‘COS LIKE YOU, SHE’LL REBEL TOO
RUN REBEL GIRL. RUN RUN THE WORLD
THICKER THAN WATER, MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER
CARRY THE FLAME AND REBEL, LIKE I TAUGHT YA
‘COS YOU, LIFT UP OUR HEARTS
THE TORCH IT WILL BURN, DOWN THROUGH THE AGES
RUN REBEL RUN, ALONE AND COURAGEOUS
AS I WAIT, AT THE FINISHING LINE
(WRITTEN 20 SEPTEMBER 2021)
WITH OUR HANDS ON THE GUN
WE STOLE THIS LAND
AND WE’RE ALL STILL ON THE RUN
WELL I’D LIKE TO SAY IM SORRY
BUT IT WAS SO LONG AGO
ITS NOT MY FAULT THE TIMES HAVE CHANGED
AND HOW WERE THEY TO KNOW
CHORUS
WITH OUR HANDS ON THE GUN
WE STOLE THIS LAND
AND WE’RE ALL STILL ON THE RUN
DREW OUR LINES UPON THE MAP
SO WE’RE REAL SORRY BUT ITS ON YOU
TO CLOSE THE GAP
I’D LIKE TO TAKE YOU BACK NOW, TO 1861
WHEN A COPPA KILLED A BLACK MAN
WITH A ROYAL ISSUE GUN
IN THE COUNTRY OF THE WADJA AND OF THE GANGALU
GAYIRI FOUGHT BACK TO AVENGE THE BLACK
ON THE CULLIN-LA-RINGO
THE AUSSIE POLITICIAN, THE RICH HORATIO WILLS
LEFT BLEEDING OUT WITH WOMEN AND KIDS
AMONG EIGHTEEN OTHER KILLS
CHORUS (WITH OUR HANDS…)
A WHITE FELLA VIGILANTE
OF GUNS AND MEN AND HORSE
THE STATE THREW IN SOME BACKUP
FROM THE QUEENSLAND POLICE FORCE
SET OUT TO TRACK THE FELLAS
TO THE CORNERS OF THE LAND
WHITE FELLAS SINGLE MISSION
KILL ABORIGINE MAN
THEY CLAIMED THEY HAD A WIN WHEN,
ON BEHALF OF THE CROWN
THEY FOUND EM CAMPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
AND SHOT ALL THREE HUNDRED DOWN
CHORUS (WITH OUR HANDS…)
AND OF THE SOLE SURVIVOR
THE PRIVILEGED TOMMY WILLS
RICH SON OF HORATIO
LATER BRAGGED OF HIS KILLS
HE TOLD CHICAGO TRIBUNE
HE WAS THERE THAT NIGHT
A BLACK MAN STOLE HIS CRICKET JACKET
“SO WE KILLED ALL IN SIGHT”
SO YA FANCY MY ZINGARI JACKET?
YA ‘DIRTY GREASY BRUTE’
UNLOADED ALL SIX BULLETS
UNTIL HE HAD NO MORE TO SHOOT
LEFT THEM ALL THERE DYING
RODE OFF THEIR GUNS ABLAZE
BUT NEVER MIND, WE’RE NEW CURRENCY LADS
AND THOSE WERE THE GOOD OLD DAYS
CHORUS (WITH OUR HANDS…)
(REFERENCES: RUSSELL JACKSON, ABC ONLINE, 19 SEPT 21; CHICAGO TRIBUNE IN ABC; WIKI.)
(WRITTEN 8 AUGUST 2021)
IT’S FRIDAY AFTERNOON
MINJERRIBAH MOON
HOME OF THE QUANDAMOOKA PEOPLE
BOARDS ON THE ROOF
YOUNG AND BULLET PROOF
WE’RE ALL ON THE BARGE TO POINT LOOKOUT
GRIGGO AND CHRISTIE, AND BONESY AND H
BREENIE AND BEAUUUUUTIFUL MEG
DEALER AND DAVE, COCKO AND MIKE
ADD DOHERS FOR THE FULL POWDER KEG
WE’RE ALL GOING TO THE BEACH HOUSE
WAVES ROLL IN ON THE PINK HOUSE
PULL OUT MY G
PLAY A LITTLE BOBBY D
IF YOU’RE NOT BUSY BEIN BORN
YOU’RE BUSY DYIN
THIS SPECIAL PLACE
YOU NEVER LOSE FACE
YOUR FRIENDS THERE TO CHEER YA FOR TRYIN
WAS IT GHOST IN THE MACHINE
OR SYNCHRONICITY
OR MAYBE REGATTA DE BLANC
BRING ON THE NIGHT
UNTIL THE DAYLIGHT
WHEN ACE BELTS OUT THE HONKY TONK
CHORUS
PRETTY BADLY SKINNED
BUT THERES A WESTERLY WIND
TAKE THE KEYHOLE DOWN TO MAIN
OCEAN LIKE GLASS
DAVE SLIDIN PAST
WHILE THE REST OF US PADDLE IN VAIN
ANOTHER DAY GONE
WE PARTY TIL DAWN
VAN HALEN, MADONNA AND DRINK
LIKE THE GALLEON WRECKED
ON THESE NIGHTS WE REFLECT
ON THE LOVE IN THE HOUSE PAINTED PINK
CHORUS
LONG MAY WE SING
WE’RE THE PARTY MACHINE
BUT THE OCEAN WILL NEVER BE STILL
AND THANKS TO CREATION
TO THE NEXT GENERATION
WE LEAVE THE PINK HOUSE ON THE HILL
THEY’RE ALL GOING TO THE BEACH HOUSE
WAVES ROLL IN ON THE BEACH HOUSE
NEVER MOVE ON FROM THE PINK HOUSE
THAT’S WHERE I WAS BORN IN THE PINK HOUSE
(WRITTEN 2018 and 9 AUGUST 2021)
THEY SAY YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN A LAWYER
A PROSECUTOR FOR THE CROWN
YEAH SURE I COULD HAVE JOINED THE CIRCUS
WEAR A MASK, BE A CLOWN
CMON MAMA WON’T YA WAKE UP
NOT WHAT YOU DO IT’S WHO YOU ARE
AND IF YOU’RE LOOKIN FOR A SAVIOUR
YOU KNOW MY LOVES THE BRIGHTEST STAR
OOOH, BUT IF YOU’RE ASKIN ME I’M JUST
AIMING TO BE WELL DOWN THE ROAD
YEEEES, IF YOU SEARCH FOR ME I’LL BE
TRYIN TO MAKE IT WELL DOWN THE ROAD
MAYBE I COULD HAVE BEEN A VICAR
ROAM THE WORLD IN JESUS NAME
COULD HAVE BEEN A CHILD ABUSER
AND MAKE THE CHILDREN WEAR THE BLAME
WHO WOULD WANNA BE A PREACHER
AND WHO WOULD WANNA BE THEIR COACH
HANDS OFF THE NEXT GENERATION
YOU FLOW OF GALLANTS WHICH APPROACH (SOURCE: Men Mind No State In Sickness. Robert Herrick. London, Lawrence, Bullen, 1891).
OOOH, BUT IF YOU’RE ASKIN ME I’M JUST
AIMING TO BE WELL DOWN THE ROAD
YEEEES, IF YOU SEARCH FOR ME I’LL BE
TRYIN TO MAKE IT WELL DOWN THE ROAD
YOU KNOW YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WOMAN
BECAUSE YOUR HEART IS WAY TOO SOFT
YOU’RE NOT A MAN IF YOU’RE NOT HARD ENOUGH
YOU’LL NEVER CUT IT AT THE TOP
I SHOULD HAVE CLAMOURED TO BE PRESIDENT
I COULD HAVE BEEN A BULLY TOO
AND USED MY POWER REALLY BADLY
FILTHY GREEDY JUST LIKE YOU
YEAH, BUT NOW I’VE FOUND MY PEACE COS I BEEN
KNEELING AT THE CROSS DOWN THE ROAD
YEEEES, FOR ETERNITY I’LL BE
STILL LOVIN YA WELL DOWN THE ROAD
MIDDLE EIGHT/INSTRUMENTAL
YOU KNOW I COULD HAVE BEEN A SINGER
BUT THEY SAID I CANNOT SING
WHY DON’T YA PUT THAT DAMN GUITAR DOWN
YOU WON’T AMOUNT TO ANYTHING
SOMEHOW I MANAGED ALL THE DRAMA
PULLED OFF A LIFE WELL-LIVED
MY GREATEST JOY TO BE A FATHER
TO BE LOVED AND TO FORGIVE
YEAH, AND NOW IVE FOUND MY PEACE COS I
BEEN HEALING IN THE WELL DOWN THE ROAD
YEEEES, THAT’S WHERE I’LL ALWAYS BE I SAID
LOVIN YA WELL DOWN THE ROAD
YEEEES AND FOR ETERNITY I’LL BE
STILL LOVIN YOU WELL DOWN THE ROAD
(WRITTEN 18 AUGUST 2021. Lyrics: Marty Breen, 1 Corinthians 13)
WAS GOING TO WRITE YOU A LETTER
BOUT HOW HAPPY I FEEL
MERE WORDS CAN’T SAY ENOUGH
THIS SONG IS LOVE AND IT IS REAL
WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS
MUSTA DONE SOMETHING GOOD
AIN’T OUR FUTURE AIN’T IN OUR CONTROL
WOULDN’T WANT IT IF I COULD
CHORUS
THERE’S NO NEED FOR YOU TO BE SAD
IF YOU’RE CRYIN COS I’M GONE
JUST TUNE IN TO YOUR DREAMS GIRL
HEAR MY GUITAR AND HEAR MY SONG
CHOOSE TO LIVE AND KEEP ON RUNNING
CHOOSE TO SING AND DANCE TOO
AND IF YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN DO THAT
I’LL KEEP THE FAITH, I PROMISE YOU
LETS KEEP LOVING
LETS KEEP THE FAITH
AND IF YOU KEEP RUNNING
I’LL KEEP YOUR FAITH
IF YOU KEEP DANCING
I’LL KEEP YOUR FAITH
LETS KEEP LOVING
TUNE INTO YOUR DREAMS
SUCH A BEAUTIFUL THING
TUNE INTO YOUR DREAMS
IF YOU WANNA FIND ME
TUNE INTO YOUR DREAMS
SUCH A BEAUTIFUL THING
TUNE INTO YOUR DREAMS
C’MON LET’S SING
C’MON LET’S SING
WE’LL ALWAYS FIGHT TO PROTECT OUR BROTHER
AND HE’LL ALWAYS FIGHT BACK FOR ME
THERE’S A V IN GIVE, IN LOVE AND RECEIVE
NOT JUST IN VICTORY
CAN’T GET FORGIVE, IF YOU’VE NEVER GIVEN
IN THE LIGHT SOME PEOPLE CANT SEE
LOCKED IN THE DARK OF THEIR DIRTY PRISON
FROM WHERE THEY WILL NEVER BE FREE
BROTHERS, THEY CANT HOLD US DOWN
BLACKENED AND BEATEN WELL FIGHT BACK WELL RULE THIS TOWN
WE’RE BROTHERS, THEY CANT HOLD US DOWN
WE WERE JUST KIDS BUT WE’LL FIGHT TILL WE’RE DUST IN THE GROUND
IN THE TOP OF THE TOWER, THEY’LL TRY TO TRAP YA
WE ALL NEED A SAFE PLACE TO HIDE
ALL THE BOYS BEATEN, FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM
BUT NONE OF OUR SPIRITS HAVE DIED
BROTHERS, THEY CANT HOLD US DOWN
BLACKENED AND BEATEN WELL FIGHT BACK WELL RULE THIS TOWN
WE’RE BROTHERS, THEY CANT HOLD US DOWN
WE WERE JUST KIDS BUT WE’LL FIGHT TILL WE’RE DUST IN THE GROUND
LOOK AROUND NOW, MUCH TIME HAS PASSED
AND CALMED THE DARK WAVES THAT DID SWIRL
LOOK DOWN ON THEIR LIES AND ALL OF THEIR RICHES
COS WE ARE ON TOP OF THE WORLD
WE’RE BROTHERS, THEY CANT HOLD US DOWN
WE’RE BROTHERS, WE RULE THIS TOWN
(WRITTEN 2018 and AUGUST 2021)
SHE CAME IN PEACE
SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SOUL
LEARNED HOW TO DANCE
FROM JUST TWO YEARS OLD
WHILE HER DAD WAS INSIDE
SHE SET OUT ON THE ROAD
FOR THE BIG BALLET
WHILE HE PRAYED HE’D BREAK FREE
TO BE THERE ONE DAY
SO SHE’D SEE HIS PRIDE
HE WOULD PRAY
TO BE FREE ONE DAY
BOLERO WILL WASH
HER FEARS AWAY
HEARS THE PATTER OF POINTES
AS HE HOPES FOR PAROLE
FOR A NIGHT AT THE DANCE
HE WOULD SELL HIS SOUL
LOVE CAN’T BE DENIED
THE OPENING NIGHT
IT’S THE BIG PREMIERE
A GLIMPSE TO THE CROWD
AND SHE SEES HIM THERE
TEARS HE CAN’T HIDE
PROMISED HE WONT MISS ANOTHER DAY
BOLERO WILL WASH HER FEARS AWAY
NO HE WON’T MISS ANOTHER DAY
BOLERO WILL TAKE HIS BREATH AWAY
(WRITTEN 28 JULY 2021)
FOR A LONG LONG TIME YOU HID THE SECRET AWAY
A LONG LONG TIME YOU BEEN MAKIN ME PAY
THIS TIME YOU WONT BE HAVIN A SAY
YOUR TICKETS BEEN PUNCHED SO GET OUTA THE WAY
I HEAR THE TRAIN A COMIN MY WAY
ALONG THE WAY WE’LL PICK UP ALL THE HAVE-NOT’S
EYES AS BLACK AS COAL
SING AND DANCE AS WE PASS BY THE HAVES
OH MAN WE’RE ON A THUNDER ROLL
THERE IS NO ROOM ABOARD FOR EVIL HATERS
ARMS OUTSTRETCHED FOR KIDS NOT PERPETRATORS
CHILD FROM ME YOU’LL FIND MY OPEN HAND AND
I PROMISE YOU, YOU WILL NOT BE ABANDONED…
CHORUS
CENTURIES OF INNOCENTS SUBJECTED
VOICES OF THE CHILDREN DISAFFECTED
PELL AND HIS DISCIPLES RE-ELECTED
SAFE AGAIN THE JURY’S VIEWS REJECTED
SO HERE’S TO ALL THE KIDS AND FREEDOM FIGHTERS
MY BLACK AND BEATEN FELLOW TRAIN RIDERS
BOARD IN ARMS WE STEAM TOWARDS THE COAST
NO WE WONT BE TAKIN ON OUTSIDERS
(WRITTEN 29 JULY 2021)
WOULD YOU LET ME SAIL YOUR OCEAN SEARCHING
FOR A LIFE OF THE HEART
HOW WILL WE KNOW WHAT A HEART-LIFE LOOKS LIKE
WHEN OURS ARE TORN APART
THROW A ROPE ACROSS OCEAN TRENCHES
A CLOVE HITCH ON THE SEA
ITS UP TO YOU TO TIE THE KNOT
OR SAIL ON FREE
YOU, ESPECIALLY
HAVE ALWAYS, BELIEVED IN ME
YOU, AND ONLY YOU
CAN MAKE MY HEART SING TRUE
SIXTEEN YEARS SINCE I HEARD
YOUR WHISPER TO THE WIND
POSEIDONS TAKEN OVER NOW
FORGIVES OUR SINS
TORNADOES AND WINDSPOUTS AND EARTHQUAKES TOO
HAVE FAILED TO BRING US DOWN
AND EVEN IF WE DRIFT APART
WE’LL NEVER DROWN
I NEVER LEARNED TO SING OR SAIL
I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT
BUT I’VE LEARNED TO TRUST THE DIFFERENCE
DARK AND LIGHT