Down South at the River

When you arrive there’s holes in the drive and the grass has grown alarming,

And the busted gutter seems to mutter, “Work down south at the River.”

Rain pours down, the creek turns brown, the southerly breeze is freezin’;

Out comes the sun, and we’re cookin’ again - cookin’ on gas at the River.

Hey down south at the River.

Cockatoos calling, gumnuts falling, tin roof blues this morning.

Up in the trees, allowin' for the breeze - It’s a wake up call at the River.

Smoke is rising, toast is burnin’, Metters stove is searing,

Chopped firewood, now ain’t that good, in a kerosene box at the River.

Hey down south at the River.

You're fishin’ a hole with a long pole, caught two D already;

On the beach shining, scaly herring - Omega-3 oil at the River.

Chuck yourself in, go for a swim, body's further immersing;

In the aura, the foaming water, there’s a real ground swell at the River.

Hey down south at the River.

Plums are ripe, give ‘em a wipe, nectarines are turning,

And apricots just have to be eaten - fresh from the tree at the River.

Swap some jam for a bottle of wine - made in the shed, it’s a ripper.

Plunge the skins with the sulphite in, best shed red at the River.

Hey down south at the River.

Dogs are barkin’, kids skylarkin’, bouncing ball this arvo,

Pitch is turnin’ - old man’s learnin’, go with the flow at the River.

Guitar's pickin’, someone’s playin’ a lively tune this evening,

Fire’s roarin’, spirits are soarin’, - and it’s just day one at the River.

Way down south at the River.

Down South at the River: A. Mann

All of “The Dog’s” CD’s have been recorded at Margaret River, a small town on the south-west coast of Western Australia.  With wineries, surf and forests it has close to everything for the city slicker on holidays. Written by Alan Mann, this song describes the impact of a typical day one in “paradise”.  Phil Roeterdink suggested the traditional tune “Blackberry Blossom” featuring Louisa Wise on fiddle and Scott Wise on mandolin as a logical conclusion.