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about

This droving ballad was written in the 1980s by the late Hugh McDonald (1954 - 2016) , though the song sounds much older, and has become a classic.
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lyrics

The Diamantina Drover
by Hugh McDonald ( 1956 – 2016 )
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[ V.1 ]
The faces in the photograph are faded
And I can't believe he looks so much like me
Been ten long years today
Since I left for Old Cork Station
Sayin' I won't be back till the drovin's done

[ CHORUS ]
For the rain never falls on the dusty Diamantina
And a drover finds it hard to change his mind
For the years have surely gone
Like the drays from Old Cork Station
And I won't be back till the drovin's done
I won't be back till the drovin's done
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[ V.2 ]
Well it seems like the sun comes up each mornin’
Sets me up, then takes it all away
For the dreaming by the light
Of the camp fire at night
Ends with the burning light of day
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[ CHORUS ]
---------------------------------
[ V.3 ]
Sometimes I think I'll settle back in Sydney
But it's been so long and it's hard to change your mind
For the cattle trail goes on and on
And fences roll forever
And I won't be back when the drovin's done
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[ CHORUS ] And I won't be back when the drovin's done
-----------------------------------------
REPEAT [ CHORUS ] And I won't be back when the drovin's done.
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credits

from Drovers, Stockmen and Bullockies, track released November 7, 2023
Words and Lyrics by Hugh McDonald ( 1954 - 2016)
Backing vocals and violin by Jessie Morgan
Cello by Natasha Jaffe - natashajaffe.com
For more Australian folk songs, please go to thequeenslandtiger.com
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The Queensland Tiger

The Queensland Tiger covers traditional Australian ballads mainly from 19C.: e.g. Henry Lawson, Banjo Paterson, Breaker Morant, Charles Thatcher, etc…. true to the original works.
website : www.thequeenslandtiger.com or Youtube channel : The Queensland Tiger ... more

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