All About Mates

Lyrics - All About Mates

mates

"All About Mates" - Album 2011
(Click Song Title for Lyrics)

1. Are You A Mate?
2. It's Hard Damn Work
3. The Ballad Of Castlereagh
4. Calypso
5. Only In Australia
6. More Than Just A Dog
7. Clay's Song
8. Billy
9. Yannathan Hall
10. The Place Where I Belong
11. In A Field Where Poppies Grow
12. From God Above
13. Watch Your Back Johnny
14. Just A Bad Dream

ARE YOU A MATE?

Written by Doug McIntyre and Bec Hance

VERSE 1
Do you say G'day, or do you say hi?
Do you shake hands, or do a high five?
Can you sing to me true blue or are you buried in rhythm 'n' blues
Are you a mate? Are you a mate?

VERSE 2
Are you a bloke, or are you a guy?
Do you have two bob, or do you have a dime?
Do you love the ABC, or you'd rather MTV
Are you a mate? Now tell me are you a mate?

CHORUS
This is not about the war, this is not about free trade
Embrace every culture but don't give yourself away
Help your neighbour love your mother and start to demonstrate
That your really a mate, are you a mate?

SOLO (over verse)

VERSE
Will you give me a tow when I get stuck?
Will you come in a ute or a pick up truck?
Are you the face of the Outback or the cover of Rolling Stone
Are you a mate? Are you a mate?

VERSE
Now's not the time, to be bought or sold
Is it stars and stripes or green and gold?
I think its time to raise the bar
Have you forgotten who you are?
Its not too late? Are you are mate?

TAG
So sing Advance Australia Fair and show you really care.......
Show us you're a mate, Are you a mate?

IT'S DAMN HARD WORK

Written by Bec Hance

VERSE
I was born and raised into this land I know no other way
I don't know how to sit down
There's always something to do, something's always broke
Like fixing a fence a beast knocked down
Up before you see the sun still on the job when the day is done
Its the way of life I choose after all

CHORUS
Its hard damn work being a cocky
When you're working out on the farm and never can get free
Its hard damn work being a cocky
When you're working out in the sun all day milking cows or bailing hay
Its hard damn work being a cocky

VERSE
This land was handed down to me and will be handed to my son
It's for the will of my last name
From cropping seed handing out feed to fixing machinery
No single day is the same
There's heartbreaking drought and winds floods and other man made things
But that doesn't stop me giving up

CHORUS
Its hard damn work being a cocky
When you're working out on the farm and never can get free
Its hard damn work being a cocky
When your working out in the sun all day milking cows or bailing hay
Its hard damn work being a cocky

BRIDGE
Its hard work but someone's got to do it
'cause milk and meet don't come from the store
Its hard work but I'll just get right to it; I'm my own boss after all

CHORUS
Its hard damn work being a cocky
When you're working on the farm and never can get free
Its hard damn work being a cocky
When you're working out in the sun all day milking cows or bailing hay
Its hard damn work being a cocky

THE BALLAD OF CASTLEREAGH

Lyrics by Vaughan Baker, Music by Bec Hance

VERSE 1
HE hadn't been inside a yard since back when he was fouled
A little point they'd overlooked in the spiel that I'd been told
I'd driven many miles to buy this red colt sight unseen
When I chose him by his picture from some horse deals magazine

VERSE 2
For this flash chestnut stock horse colt I had the future planned
On the family cattle station up near Roma in QLD
I'd picked him out in NSW right down Gilgandra way
When I named him from the river there I called him Castlereagh

VERSE 3
He still ran at his mother's side although he was 2 years old
And it came as no surprise to see she looked well in fowl
He'd never felt the touch of hands he'd never known the taste
Of mixed up feed prepared by man or a tube of worming paste

VERSE 4
They led the mare into the yard to trap her wild eye son
Then whisked out of sight back to some far part of the run
He charged around the yard in fear the rails he tried to climb
I know I should have turned my back on the deal around that time

CHORUS
I was just a cocky kid all full of sap and pride
I couldn't let those yokels think I feared this colt to ride
At last we got him in the float it took all flaming day
Like a bomb all set to blow was Castlereagh

VERSE 5
By the grace of god we made it home but things got worse from there
The colt set out to make a man of this cocky young bush lair
Tense like a spring that's over wound from his outbursts I'd say
I'd used up all my good luck on close shaves with Castlereagh

VERSE 4
For weeks his outlook looked the same a world of fear and fright
Then all at once he came around it seemed like overnight
It was like he came to realize what I wanted him to do
I've since heard from horsemen, they've struck em like that too

BRIDGE
But time and tide await no man and the years did slip away
A change to farming saw me with no use for Castlereagh
And a young girl looking for a horse took Castlereagh on trial
But within days she'd bought him back said he was too docile

OUTTRO
He hadn't been inside a yard since back when he was fowled
A little point they'd overlooked in the spied that I'd been told

CALYPSO

Written by John Denver

VERSE
To sail on a dream on a crystal clear ocean,
to ride on the crest of a wild raging storm
To work in the service of life and living,
in search of the answers of questions unknown
To be part of the movement and part of the growing,
part of beginning to understand,

CHORUS
Aye Calypso the places you've been to,
the things that you've shown us,
the stories you tell
Aye Calypso, I sing to your spirit,
the men who have served you so long and so well
Hi dee ay-ee ooo doo-dle oh
oo do do do do do doo-dle ay yee
doo-dle ay ee

VERSE
Like the dolphin who guides you, you bring us beside you
To light up the darkness and show us the way
For though we are strangers in your silent world
To live on the land we must learn from the sea
To be true as the tide and free as a wind swell
Joyful and loving in letting it be

ONLY IN AUSTRALIA

Written by Bec Hance

INTRO
Have you ever been to a place down under?
If you live here have you roamed wide and all over?
From Waterfalls to open plains to escarpments
From Rainforest, bush and magnificent sea waters - Only in Australia

VERSE
Have you ever stood on the top of Cape York?
Have you taken a cruise down the Katherine Gorge?
Have you watched the lightning on top of Stockman's Ridge?
Have you ever walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge?

VERSE
Have you ever watched the sunrise on Bryon Bay?
Have you driven across the Gibb in the Kimberley's?
Have you mustered cattle out west at Longreach?
Have you ever had a swim or a Barbie on Bondi Beach?

CHORUS
Only in Australia, This is gotta be the place to be
It's got lots of personality, I'm never gonna leave
Only in Australia, There's scenery as far as you can see
You'll come to visit and never leave, Only in Australia

VERSE
Have ever killed a cane toad just for fun
Have you got drunk on the famous Bundaberg rum
Have you paddled steamed the Murray for a couple of days
Have you ever had a gander at the Buchan Caves?

VERSE
Have you ever punted on the Melbourne Cup?
Have you dug for an opal in Oonnadatta?
Have you watched the footy with a four'n'twenty pie
Have you ever looked for the Southern Cross in the Sky?

CHORUS
Only in Australia, This is definitely the place to be
It's got lots of personality, I'm never gonna leave
Only in Australia, There's scenery as far as you can see (pause)
You'll come to visit and never leave, Only in Australia (2 bars)

BRIDGE
Well there are a thousand and one things to do
And if you don't then why don't you
Come see the magic of her heart (pause) 2 bars
Grab a bike grab a car grab a donkey and a cart just whatever make the start!

CHORUS
Only in Australia, This is definitely the place to be
It's got lots of personality, I'm never gonna leave
Only in Australia, There's scenery as far as you can see
You'll come to visit and never leave, Only in Australia

TAG
You'll come to visit and never leave
I'm never gonna leave, would you ever leave (stop and rall)
We're so lucky to be free, Only in Australia

MORE THAN JUST A DOG

Written by Bec Hance

VERSE
15 years we had her, half border collie, half Coolie,
Bred by me grandfather, he was a bit unruly
She had one brown eye, one bluey grey
A faithful old dog, she never strayed
She mustered the chooks, the ferrets, the little dogs and put them into their yard
The possums that lived in the shed, were on her 24-hour guard
She ate fish guts, cow poo, sour milk, kangaroo she'd never starve
She'd eat all the animals, including the potty calves
Would catch and kill mice, under the hay in the shed
Get dirty, muddy, smelly, and filthy then jump up on my bed

CHORUS
Cause when you leave her alone she would stay right there at home
When you go and get the cows, she'd come barking out loud
When you hurt when you cry, she would stay right by your side
When I think about it now, she was more than just a dog

VERSE
Got kicked in the head by a bull, got runover by a Ute
Lost her teeth to a motor propeller, took her toenails out of her feet
Used her nose and paws to sneak inside and open the front door
Got cloutered by the cat for biting its tail but she still came back for more
If you shot the shotgun or cracked the whip, you wouldn't see-a for a week
And if the thunderstorm came, she'd shiver under your feet

VERSE
When I go home to the farm now, things are not the same,
There's no dog waiting for me, barking in the driveway
And I know why they say now, a dog's a mans best friend
What a shame the cancer, took her in the end

CLAY'S SONG

Written by Bec Hance

VERSE
I CRY AT NIGHT AT NIGHT WHEN I'M IN THE DARK
WHEN I'M NOT WITH YOU
YOU'RE MY LITTLE MATE, YOU'RE MY BRAVE KNIGHT
EVERYTIME I NEED A FRIEND

CHORUS
IT'S SO HARD NOT TO THINK ABOUT YOU
WHEN I'M TRYING TO CONCENTRATE
BUT WHEN I SEE YOUR FACE IN A PICTURE FRAME
MAKES ME THINK HOW I MISS YOU

VERSE
I LEAD A BUSY A LIFE, AND NOT ALL THE TIME
CAN I TAKE YOU WITH ME
AND I'M SORRY IF, IT SEEMS LIKE, I'VE LEFT YOU FOREVER

CHORUS
IT'S SO HARD NOT TO TAKE YOU WITH ME
WHEN I NEED TO GO AWAY
BUT WHEN I SEE YOUR FACE IN A PICTURE FRAME
MAKES ME THINK HOW I MISS YOU

BRIDGE
I WISH WE COULD GO EVERYWHERE
I WISH I COULD ALWAYS HOLD YOU HAND
I WISH WE COULD PLAY FOREVER IN THE SAND
BUT I'LL ALWAYS COME BACK TO GET YOU WHEREVER I GO

CHORUS
IT'S SO HARD NOT TO THINK ABOUT YOU
WHEN I'M TRYING TO CONCENTRATE
BUT WHEN I SEE YOUR FACE IN A PICTURE FRAME
MAKES ME THINK HOW I MISS YOU

TAG
I WANT YOU TO KNOW, I WANT YOU TO KNOW
I WANT YOU TO KNOW
WHEN I SEE YOUR FACE, IN A PICTURE FRAME
IT MAKES ME THINK HOW I, I MISS YOU.....

BILLY

Written by Bec Hance

VERSE
Billy and I went down to the stockyard today
Chasing around a couple of cows
We got a bit hot so we jumped in the trough
Its moments like this I laugh

VERSE 2
Billy and I went down to the markets today
Came home with two potty calves
He helped me get 'em off the Ute
Then started chasin' 'em round the yard

CHORUS
What would life be like without Billy?
It'd be really sad
He's not a dog that you'd throw a bone
He's the best mate I ever had

VERSE
Billy and I went down to the creek bed today
Threw in a line to catch some fish
Got a bit bored waiting' for a bite
So we ran around like a couple of kids

VERSE
I don't go as Bec anymore; it's always Bec and Billy
It's just the way it I can't change a thing
Why a dog is's so short-lived

YANNATHAN HALL

Written by Bec Hance

VERSE
Way back when I was young when a different song was sung
When to dance was to waltz in two
I've been trying to hold back these tears remembering all those years
When we would go out to the dance each Friday night

CHORUS
And Ive got so many memories at the Yannathan Hall
Seems like I should be moving right along
But I just can't seem to forget when I held you in my arms
And I've got so many memories at the Yannathan Hall

VERSE
When my hair turns to grey, will I still feel this way
Will I forget the sound on those floor boards?
It's not like it was yesterday, when we'd dance the night away
To the band playing that old folklore

CHORUS
And I've got so many memories at the Yannathan Hall
Seems like I should be moving right along
But I just can't seem to forget when I held you in my arms
And I've got so many memories at the Yannathan Hall
And I've got so many memories at the Yannathan Hall

THE PLACE WHERE I BELONG

Written by Bec Hance

VERSE
I never did feel welcome I always did feel blue
And the reason I moved to this town was all because of you
It's so isolated, in a town so small
I got neighbour's that live beside me, but they never talk

CHORUS
So all I got is my saddle and my swag
I got the dog on the front seat of my hatchback
And we're driven' back to where I come from
Gone for good, to the place where I belong

VERSE
I never did feel like I was in amongst the crowd
They say a town is what you make of it but I can't make it in this town
No social interaction, no friendly cheery smiles
People come and go, they never stay for a long time

CHORUS
So all I got is my saddle and my swag
I got the dog on my front seat of my hatchback
And we're drivin' back to where I come from
Gone for good, to the place where I belong

BRIDGE
I cry out for you, but its no use, that's why I'm shootin' through

VERSE
Now I won't be back, I might just call,
To make sure that you're ok and to hear your voice
I'm sorry for leavin, but now the future's bright
I now can be myself, I now can sleep at night

CHORUS
So all I got is my saddle and my swag
I got the dog on my front seat of my hatchback
And we're drivin' back to where I come from
Gone for good, to the place where I belong

TAG
Gone for good, Gone for Good
Gone for Good, to the place where I belong

WHERE POPPIES GROW

VERSE 1
I was a shearer, a drover I plighed the tools of trade
A doctor, a lawyer, I was Australian made
I was tough and uncomplaining, I saw the sunset glow
I fought I tried I bled I died
In a field where poppies grow

VERSE 2
I was loyal to king and country, Australian to my core
On landscapes bearing bloodstains of the men who'd gone before
I still share the camaraderie of mates of long ago
We rest as one neath the foreign sun
In a field, where poppies grow

VERSE 3
My name is, documented, carefully written down
Upon the noble cenotaph that stands in every town
I still wish and hope for freedom, that was ours so long ago
I do not weep I soundly sleep
In a field where poppies grow
(turnaround)

VERSE 4
The Anzacs ranks are thinning, with the passing of each year
As the men who share a special bond, slowly disappear
There's memory of the fallen, in every Anzac marching row
Their spirit is free they rest with me
In a field, where poppies grow

TAG
Their spirit is free they rest with me
In a field, where poppies grow

GOD ABOVE

Written by Bec Hance

VERSE
He was leaning on a pool cue, in his hand a shaking glass
And he knew, he had no home, to go to, from this bar
As the glass hit the table he quickly realized
He lost everything he lived for through the blood stain of his eyes

CHORUS
His life had no direction he did the same things everyday
He had no one else to turn to so he got down on his knees and prayed
When he had no one to talk to no one around him to love
Who else would he turn to for help, God above?

VERSE
She was sitting in flashing lights, with an empty money jar
She stopped to think what she could sell to keep on living beneath the stars
She often wondered hot to get to the life she had before
Is it easier to end it or to find a faithful cure

CHORUS
Her life had no direction she did the same things everyday
Had no one else to turn to so she got down on her knees and prayed
When she had no one to talk to no one around her to love
Who else would she turn to for help, God above?

VERSE
She was waiting, home each night and she wondered where he was
Although it's been 16 months, each day is harder without his love
She'd like to turn back time
Control things she can't change
But with a little guidance she can move on from yesterday

CHORUS
Her life had no direction she did the same things everyday
She had no one else to turn to so she got down on his knees and prayed
When she had no one to talk to no one around her to love
Who else would she turn to for help, God above?

Lyrics - All About Mates

ARE YOU A MATE?

IT'S DAMN HARD WORK

THE BALLAD OF CASTLEREAGH

CALYPSO

ONLY IN AUSTRALIA

MORE THAN JUST A DOG

CLAY'S SONG

BILLY

YANNATHAN HALL

THE PLACE WHERE I BELONG

WHERE POPPIES GROW

GOD ABOVE

Philosophies

Bec Hance Pete Wilson

Proud Of My Country

All About Mates

Girls Like Me

ARE YOU A MATE?

IT'S DAMN HARD WORK

THE BALLAD OF CASTLEREAGH

CALYPSO

ONLY IN AUSTRALIA

MORE THAN JUST A DOG

CLAY'S SONG

BILLY

YANNATHAN HALL

THE PLACE WHERE I BELONG

WHERE POPPIES GROW

GOD ABOVE

Philosophies

Bec Hance Pete Wilson

Proud Of My Country

All About Mates

Girls Like Me

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