From the recording Bellbirds & Blackboys
Lyrics
STREETS & HEADSTONES
2006 Craig Stewart
INTRO HOLD D – Played in drop D tuning
D G
From across the seas they came, to carve runs up through the range
D A
And chase the fertile plains of New South Wales
D G
The squatters with their schemes, and the settlers with their dreams
D A D
All loaded up their teams to blaze the trail
D G
A slab and bark hut home, where the bushrangers roamed
D A
Forged the great backbone of the land
D G
By the waterholes they'd perch, and old tavern and bush church
D A D
To rest their souls of work at journey's end
CHORUS
G
The streets and headstones bear the names
D
Of the pioneers that paved the way
A G D
With sweat and tears that few these days would know
G
From half a world away they came
D
To stand as one and stake their claim
A G D
To the Great Australian Dream so long ago
D G
And in the words of Lawson, the brooding bush awakened
D A
Until it was stirred in wild unrest
D G
And a proud and ancient race, soon found itself replaced
D A D
By men who'd stop at nothing in their quest
D G
From dawn 'till dusk they toiled, to sink wells and turn the soil
D A
Shoot it if it moves or cut it down
D G
Yes the greenhide ripped the fur, as a nation slowly stirred
D A D
Riding on the back of those bush towns
(CHORUS)
SOLO - OVER CHORUS
D G
There are stones in the grass, panes of broken glass
D A
And a highway that runs past Saint Chads today
D G
I was headed to a show, but stopped a while to let them know
D A D
Not everyone forgets the dues they paid
D G
Little Ellis Blackman, round the time of Federation
D A
Was rested here at just twelve months of age
D G
Sleep on in thy beauty, a faded headstone reads so sweetly
D A D
And I thank the Lord I've had the chance to say
(CHORUSX 2)
REPEAT LAST LINE 3 TIMES LAST CHORUS
A G D
FOR THOSE WHO PAID THE PRICE SO LONG AGO
OUTRO - PLAY D FOR 4 BARS