Get Flash to see this player.
Description
The third song in my 'Australian Trilogy' (that incorporates 'Hermannsburg' and 'Red Dirt' - both previously uploaded)
This is an all too common story from the outback, where during the recent extended drought one farmer every four days commits suicide. While we were travelling through Australia I heard the tale of one particular farmer who took his cattle to market, was unable to sell them because they were in such poor health, so returned home and shot each one before turning the gun on himself.
So, another cheery little number from Yours Truly!
Production:
It's another song in two distinct parts. I had a song called This Desert Earth kicking about for years, but it had a lyric that made no sense. The above story suddenly fitted the tone of the song and the melody I had, so I changed the words to suit.
The second part is the narrative laid bare. In my mind I was going to build towards a massive end, adding more and more layers, but once I started recording I liked the way that instruments dropped out making it sparser as the song progresses.
***My full vocal range is on display as well - for better or worse :-) ***
It's all a bit miserable I'm afraid - but enjoy if you can.
DOLBY
This is an all too common story from the outback, where during the recent extended drought one farmer every four days commits suicide. While we were travelling through Australia I heard the tale of one particular farmer who took his cattle to market, was unable to sell them because they were in such poor health, so returned home and shot each one before turning the gun on himself.
So, another cheery little number from Yours Truly!
Production:
It's another song in two distinct parts. I had a song called This Desert Earth kicking about for years, but it had a lyric that made no sense. The above story suddenly fitted the tone of the song and the melody I had, so I changed the words to suit.
The second part is the narrative laid bare. In my mind I was going to build towards a massive end, adding more and more layers, but once I started recording I liked the way that instruments dropped out making it sparser as the song progresses.
***My full vocal range is on display as well - for better or worse :-) ***
It's all a bit miserable I'm afraid - but enjoy if you can.
DOLBY
Leave a Comment
You must be registered and logged-in to comment.
Lyrics
This Desert Earth
(by Phil Dolby ©2007)
Said the farmer to the man -
“How can I pay you when I cannot grow my grain?”
Said the farmer to his son -
“I cannot leave you this ground so full of pain
Someday
We’re waiting for the day it rains
Or takes us to an early grave
Someday....”
Said the farmer to his wife -
“I am no longer the provider in your life
If we stay here, the world may never know
How we waited to see the river flow
Our way
We’re waiting for the day it rains
Or takes us to an early grave
Someday....”
There was a time when once a year
He’d take his cattle to market
A simple task that paid him well
Some money in his pocket
But now the beasts are withered thin
He knows not how to stop it
No flesh can grow from eating dirt
These bones will yield no profit
So now he takes the only shot
To deliver him from torture
He drives his cattle from the land
And leads his lambs to slaughter
And as the last one falls away
One bullet still remains
He puts the barrel to his mouth
Now tears where once was rain
(by Phil Dolby ©2007)
Said the farmer to the man -
“How can I pay you when I cannot grow my grain?”
Said the farmer to his son -
“I cannot leave you this ground so full of pain
Someday
We’re waiting for the day it rains
Or takes us to an early grave
Someday....”
Said the farmer to his wife -
“I am no longer the provider in your life
If we stay here, the world may never know
How we waited to see the river flow
Our way
We’re waiting for the day it rains
Or takes us to an early grave
Someday....”
There was a time when once a year
He’d take his cattle to market
A simple task that paid him well
Some money in his pocket
But now the beasts are withered thin
He knows not how to stop it
No flesh can grow from eating dirt
These bones will yield no profit
So now he takes the only shot
To deliver him from torture
He drives his cattle from the land
And leads his lambs to slaughter
And as the last one falls away
One bullet still remains
He puts the barrel to his mouth
Now tears where once was rain
echoroom
... i wrote a song in sri lanka, currently being worked on... it's a great sourcce of inspiration, isn't it> this is great Phil - lovely guitar, and a sweet gentle feel... kinda Crowded house. Your production seems to improve with ever track - i love how the drums sound on this.
Lovely summery chorus on this... nice work.
steve