Story Behind The Song
The writer was born in Whyalla, South Australia. This song describes a journey through the State as he returned to the place of his birth. It also describes, tangentially, his troubled relationships at the time.
Song Description
A journey song, describing a journey through South Australia.
Song Length |
5:09 |
Genre |
Country - Alternative, Folk - Contemporary |
Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
Mood |
Restless, Tranquil |
Subject |
General, Home |
Similar Artists |
Neil Young |
Language |
English |
Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
Quorn was where the sadness hit the hardest
So I went out to the railtracks with my camera
I took a lot of pictures of old silos
And some rusty tracks they've neglected now for ever
And though it was a shallow consolation
Later with a beer I felt much better
In Stirling North a yellow car bewitched me
It had no wheels and sat up on some truck tyres
I stopped to buy some singlets in Port Augusta
One brown like clay the other red like fire
I christened them with ketchup in Whyalla
Without the stain I was taken for a liar
Oh holy Moses and Abraham I scooped your red dust with my hand
I kept the plastic bag inside my boot
And yes I know I understand that I must find a place to stand
But I cannot find a logic for to choose
In Cowell there is a motel beside a showroom
Where the touist women buy Jade jewellery
and I can still recall that lovely painting
With a kangaroo some slippers and a pot of tea
The sun and wind they coloured me like a langoustine
Later when we walked out on the jetty
We drove for miles through dust and stone
To see that sea and ocean foam
A couple there were kissing on the beach
We walked around the spit of land and watched for sealions on the sand
Yes we never found the colony
The sea beneath Port Lincoln drove me wild
It ground me up and turned me into sand
A group of hippies sat on plastic chairs
and sent pink waves of peace across the land
And though the sun was warm upon my belly
Winter ruled the heart of this old man
So let dingos dig down through my nose
goanna fork tongues like my toes
Echidna teeth can masticate my ears
Oh give these limbs up to the sharks
Let emus peck at this fucked up heart
Come what may we're getting out of here
Oh you foolish boy I told you so
That was a stupid way to go
Fill your liver up with piss and beer
Pack up your crappy country songs
They won't make right what feels so wrong
And it's not the stuff these good folks like to hear