1. |
Plastic Flowers
04:53
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Your green eyes reflected the cold moonlight
you wore that trench coat wrapped round tight
standing by the Hazard sign at the side of the road.
Your drop top Beamer had broken down
and you had to get a lift back to town
so you climbed up in the cabin and rolled us up a couple of smokes.
I pulled up the truck to say goodbye
I wished you luck, but you replied
there's a dust storm coming you better come inside.
I should have got you plastic flowers
they don't need any water
they say I love you like the real thing
but plastic flowers never die.
i got you every little thing you liked
and I reckon we were doing alright
we'd only ever fight every other night.
I'd been hauling heavy freight interstate
My head was wound up pretty tight
Tight as the grip on my bottle as I read your note.
It just took one long look
to take in everything you took
when you took off up the highway and out of town.
I should have got you plastic flowers
they don't need any water
they say I love you like the real thing
but plastic flowers never die.
Like a punch drunk fighter who never sees it coming
my head hit the ground but my motor's still running
I hang on to the ropes until I'm standing and I'm ready for more.
She was a girl I hadn't noticed before
behind the counter of a hardware store
when she smiled it was soft and light.
Her voice was like a summer breeze
Cool and warm it put me at ease
until she whispers "what you doing tonight?" And she said...
You can buy me plastic flowers
they don't need any water
they say I love you like the real thing
but plastic flowers never die
plastic flowers never die
Plastic flowers never die
they never die
never die
never die.
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2. |
Bush Rocket
04:29
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It's the start of another day waiting in line
The guy with the topknot gives me a sign
He knows my order - its the same every day
It's always the same but I can't give it away.
But when I'm standing on the edge of the Gibber Plains
Australia's big beating heart makes me whole again.
I never felt quite so alive as in my battered old Troopy in four ...
four wheel drive.
I get to my office desk almost on time
The boss looks up and gives me a sign
He's had a bright idea like he gets every day
It's always the same but I don't give it away.
Cos when I'm standing on the cliffs of the Great Australian Bight
Nothing can be wrong when you see a Southern Right.
I never felt quite so alive as in my battered old Troopy in 4WD -
With them shockies rocking going nowhere fast
Chassis's shaking like a blast from the past
Motor's humming, it's pulling down low
Tyres drumming on a corrugated road.
When that bush rocket takes off it feels like flying
With a long vapour trail of dust out behind.
It's the end of another day, it's knock off time
I run to the station to be met by a sign
"Track repairs mean substantial delays"
But that is OK cos I can find my own way.
Like when I'm driving across the Flinders Ranges
Its big bleeding heart has seen some changes
I never felt quite so alive as in my battered old Troopy in 4WD -
With them shockies rocking going nowhere fast
Chassis's shaking like a blast from the past
Motor's humming, it's pulling down low
Tyres drumming on a corrugated road.
When that bush rocket takes off it feels like flying
With a long vapour trail of dust out behind.
Standing on the edge of the Gibber Plains
Australia's big beating heart makes me whole again
I never felt quite so alive as in my battered old Troopy in four ...
four wheel drive.
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3. |
Ain't No Way
03:44
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The economic gurus all agree
a change is gonna come to the economy
so forget those little things that made it all worthwhile
we're heading for a radical change in lifestyle.
So if your standard of living's slipping, slip out the back and live
when you take you're mind of getting, you find out what life can give.
You've got to die to get to heaven, that's a fact
if you ain't completely satisfied you don't get your money back.
It ain't no way to make a living, but it's a pretty good way to live.
Since I lost my day job, I work for the dole
they can waste your time but they can't take your soul
since the motor's seized we ride everywhere
it gives us time to shoot the breeze and breathe the sweet country air.
So if your standard of living's slipping, slip out the back and live
when you take you're mind off getting, you find out what life can give.
You've got to die to get to heaven, that's a fact
if you ain't completely satisfied you don't get your money back.
It ain't no way to make a living, but it's a pretty good way to live.
The backyard's gone to pot and vegetables
there's a fish farm breeding in the swimming pool
we don't need entertainment we're making our own
the lights are never on but someone's always home.
So if you find your standards slipping, just let 'em slip and live.
When you see those people walking by
with a spring in their step and twinkle in their eye
just ask them what they do from day to day
and this I am sure is what they'll all say.
It ain't no way to make a living, but a pretty good way to live
It ain't no way to make a living, but a pretty good way to live
It ain't no way.
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4. |
My Father's Voice
04:53
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A big man's pride makes him strong
it keeps him going 'til he's almost gone
but even when his spirit's spent
he'd never pawn his broken heart to pay the rent.
My father's voice rolls like thunder
his tears are the rains that never came
and when his words strike like lightning
there's a rainbow in his heart that promises
to never ever strike you down again.
A big man's heart yearns in vain
to be held in his sweet mother's arms again
a foreign man in a distant land
he knows the words but still he doesn't understand.
My father's voice rolls like thunder
his tears are the rains that never came
and when his words strike like lightning
there's a rainbow in his heart that promises
to never ever strike you down again.
Time keeps marching on
by the time I woke up he was gone
I can't remember what he said
but his voice keeps ringing in my head.
A big man's pain holds him deep inside
he wears the smile of the crucified
and when he shouts its not at me
he's just yelling at the past to leave him be.
My father's voice rolls like thunder
his tears are the rains that never came
and when his words strike like lightning
there's a rainbow in his heart that promises
to never ever strike you down again.
there's a rainbow in his heart that promises
to never ever strike you down again.
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5. |
Never Too Old
03:33
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They say the best things in life are wild and free
but at my age honey you can tell that to the birds and bees.
Even though this old dog has had it's day
the young pup still comes out to play.
'cos when I get that feeling deep down in my soul
I might be too old to rock now honey
never too old to roll.
Who wants to spend their final days in a nursing home
where the kids call once a year on the telephone?
While things drop off and it's hard to go
we can still get there if we take it real slow
'cos when I get that feeling deep down in my soul
I might be too old to rock now honey
never too old to roll.
My younger days now seem so far away
and all the good friends I met along the way
if saw them again today there's just one thing I'd want to say:
"thank you for being my friend as we learnt to play"
and for those of us still here today:
'thank you for the love and laughs day after day".
I've had a good life you could say was meaningful
and there's nothing left in this world I really need to do
but there's still a few things I really need
and I'll take them with me to eternity.
'cos when I get that feeling deep down in my soul
I might be too old to rock now honey
never too old to roll.
I might be too old to rock now honey
never too old to roll.
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6. |
This Country Makes Music
03:08
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You asked me where I'm going, well its nowhere, I guess.
Is knowing where you're going the key to happiness?
I ain't got a map but there's no need to stress
I know where I'm going, and it's nowhere, I guess.
I got the sun on my face, a breeze at my back
I reckon now I might be on the right track
The bush hums a tune that everyone knows
This Country makes music where ever we go.
I toss in a line just for something to do
It's better than nothing but nothing's fine too.
I gaze at the water, why ain't it blue?
Might even catch me a fish or two.
I got the sun on my face, a breeze at my back
I reckon now I might be on the right track
The bush hums a tune that everyone knows
This Country makes music where ever we go.
I'm cracking old sticks to put on the fire
And watch that smoke going higher and higher
I crack them sticks, cicadas click back
We clicked all night making music like that.
A billion stars in the sky, a moon on the rise
Shadows dance darkly with the fire in your eyes
The bush sings the songs only the Old People know
This Country makes music where ever we go.
When the sun gets up its cold on the ground
The mist in the trees rises up to the clouds
The birds sing the chorus but we don't make a sound
'Cos nowhere is somewhere to get lost and be found
We got the sun on our face, a breeze at our back
I reckon now we might be on the right track
The bush hums a tune that everyone knows
This Country makes music where ever we go.
You asked me where I'm going, well its nowhere, I guess.
Is knowing where you're going the key to happiness?
I ain't got a clue but there's no need to stress
I know where I come from, on this Country we're blessed.
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7. |
Seven Long Years
04:40
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It's been seven long years the sun's been beating down
Seven long years kicking dust up off the ground
Seven long years without a drop
Seven long years when would it stop
Seven long years for many miles around.
Then out of the south dark clouds rolled in over the plains
We all jumped about as it started to rain
We had mud on our faces, mud on our boots
We got soaking wet right down to our roots
Been hanging on so long ...... we was almost gone.
Seven long years gazing up into the sky
Seven long years asking the good Lord, why?
Seven long years hanging on the line
Waiting for a sign from the Divine
Seven long years of barely getting by.
Then out of the south dark clouds rolled in over the plains
We all jumped about as it started to rain
We had mud on our faces, mud on our boots
We got soaking wet right down to our roots
Been hanging on so long ...... we was almost gone.
There are strange voices in my head,
I'm having trouble getting out of bed,
The bush is silent, I don't know why
at night I hear the curlews cry
Summertime, the cotton was high,
fish were jumping, now the rivers are dry
Something tells me I don't know why.... our time is nigh.
Seven long years watching the dams dry up
Seven long years loading cattle on to slaughterhouse trucks
Seven long years without any pay
with nothing to do and nothing to say
Seven long years of never giving up.
Then out of the south dark clouds rolled in over the plains
We all jumped about as it started to rain
We had mud on our faces, mud on our boots
We got soaking wet right down to our roots
Been hanging on so long ...... we was almost gone.
Been hanging on so long ...... we was almost gone.
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8. |
Where's Summer Gone?
04:24
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The leaves in the trees shimmied as we breathed
A zephyr kissed a wisp of your hair
Your gentle eyes were clear blues skies
Can you tell me where summer's gone?
When the sunlight danced in the warmth of your smile
And the grass swayed as we walked by
The breeze stirred at something that we heard
But can you tell me why?
Across the bay is a blood red haze
The sky is as black as night
I can't hear for the roar in my ears
Of the angels of hell in flight
The air we breathe is a hundred degrees
And the wind's howling all night long
I'm on my knees, can you tell me please
Where have the golden days of summer gone?
Cos I remember when the
The leaves in the trees shimmied as we breathed
A zephyr kissed a wisp of your hair
Your gentle eyes were clear blues skies
Can you tell me where summer's gone?
When the sunlight danced in the warmth of your smile
And the grass swayed as we walked by
The breeze stirred at something that we heard
But can you tell me why?
It's been bucketing down for three days now
The rivers are rising fast
All our dreams have been swept away
How long is this gonna last?
Cold and scared I was close to the edge
On a rooftop I made a pledge,
Lord I'm on my knees, can you tell me please
Where have the golden days of summer gone?
Way back then you were the golden girl
I was so in love that's true
But now your anger is a killing machine
I'm so afraid of what you're gonna do.
But I remember when the
Sunshine danced in the warmth of your smile
And the grass swayed as we walked by
The breeze stirred at something that we heard
But can you tell me why?
The leaves in the trees shimmied as we breathed
A zephyr kissed a wisp of your hair
Your gentle eyes were clear blue skies
Can you tell me where summer's gone?
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9. |
Sugar Daddy Blues
03:07
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It's hard living on the street
you've got nothing to lose
take a ride in that cadillac
take the diamonds and don't look back
Baby, you gotta know
Baby, what can you do
Baby, you gotta go
before your sugar dady's through with you
so what you gonna do?
Now you're living on easy street
you might have something to lose
you're as pretty as a peach
you take the knocks and you're starting to bruise now
Baby, you gotta know
Baby, what can you do
Baby, you gotta go
before your sugar dady's through with you
so what you gonna do?
Now I see you're back on the beat
you're looking tired and confused
you're fancy friends are out of reach
all you got is you're high heel shows now.
That high living can take it's toll
but there's no turning back
"Mother's Little Helpers" might help you, Doll
but did you have to take the whole damn pack now
Baby, you gotta know
Baby, what can you do
Baby, you gotta go
before your sugar dady's through with you
oh what you go and do?
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10. |
Coming Back
05:03
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I've been gone too long, I know it's true
now I'm singing love songs cos I'm missing you
no matter how I try, no matter what I do
one thing is certain, one thing is true
now I'm coming back, back home to you.
I once had my reasons to find my own way
now I know freedom has a price that's hard to pay
I've been doing some thinking and this is what I'll do
I'm buying a one way ticket right back to you.
I've been gone too long, I know it's true
now I'm singing love songs cos I'm missing you
no matter how I try, no matter what I do
one thing is certain, one thing is true
now I'm coming back, back home to you.
I've been living in a bubble watching the world out there
I've been keeping out of trouble, but trouble's everywhere
I'm making some changes and this is what I'll do
I'm coming back down to earth right next to you.
Cos I've been rolling like tumbleweed and living day by day
it's time to get just what we've got before we all get blown away
I'm gazing up at the stars locked down in this little room
I want to hold you in my arms not have a chat on Zoom.
And then the sun gets up and lights up another day
but when the sun goes down our fears come out to play
as I'm watching the sun go down every night I pray
to watch the day dawn with you again day after day.
I've been gone too long, I know it's true
now I'm singing love songs cos I'm missing you
no matter how I try, no matter what I do
one thing is certain, one thing is true
now I'm coming back, back home to you.
now I'm coming back, back home to you.
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11. |
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Your green eyes reflected the cold moonlight
you wore that trench coat wrapped round tight
standing by the Hazard sign at the side of the road.
Your drop top Beamer had broken down
and you had to get a lift back to town
so you climbed up in the cabin and rolled us up a couple of smokes.
I pulled up the truck to say goodbye
I wished you luck, but you replied
there's a dust storm coming you better come inside.
I should have got you plastic flowers
they don't need any water
they say I love you like the real thing
but plastic flowers never die.
i got you every little thing you liked
and I reckon we were doing alright
we'd only ever fight every other night.
I'd been hauling heavy freight interstate
My head was wound up pretty tight
Tight as the grip on my bottle as I read your note.
It just took one long look
to take in everything you took
when you took off up the highway and out of town.
I should have got you plastic flowers
they don't need any water
they say I love you like the real thing
but plastic flowers never die.
Like a punch drunk fighter who never sees it coming
my head hit the ground but my motor's still running
I hang on to the ropes until I'm standing and I'm ready for more.
She was a girl I hadn't noticed before
behind the counter of a hardware store
when she smiled it was soft and light.
Her voice was like a summer breeze
Cool and warm it put me at ease
until she whispers "what you doing tonight?" And she said...
You can buy me plastic flowers
they don't need any water
they say I love you like the real thing
but plastic flowers never die
plastic flowers never die
Plastic flowers never die
they never die
never die
never die.
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Mark Thomann Canberra, Australia
A funny thing happened 3 years ago. Mark’s heart broke - literally. It was a chance to live in the slow lane, to reflect and to write and record songs. His heart has come good and he has an album of songs to prove it. They draw on his love for blues, country and rock music and for playing the guitar. Think Nostalgia Rock meets Indie on the road to Tamworth and winds up in Memphis. ... more
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