Virgin Ground lyricsOn Virgin Ground (1980), The Very Best of Redgum (1987) and The Essential Redgum (2011)
Virgin Ground (Michael Atkinson) Based on the William Lane expeditions to Paraquay in the 1980s. Sydney town 1885, sulphur air and blackened skies And you live your lives in the pocket of a richer man In the sheds, on the docks, and down the mines From the backblocks of Queensland to the Goyder Line The banks hold the money and they keep the strikers down with guns We won’t drop anchor till we reach Alta Mira Sound Heave away we’re New Australia bound Heave away we’re New Australia bound For virgin ground In pokey little offices in Adelaide You count company profits but you’re underpaid There must be more to life than the promise of another day So collect your tools and pack your bag The sea is calling, hoist a brave new flag We’ll make history in the forests of Paraguay Wide-eyed romantics in a half-baked dream Pure motives aren’t what they seem You’ve got your feet caked in Australian mud And you can’t deny what’s in your blood Under Paraguay skies, under nights so cold You can forsake your country and lose your soul You’ve got to run from your troubles No need to stand your ground Heave away we’re New Australia bound We won’t drop anchor til we reach Alta Mira Sound Heave away we’re New Australia bound For virgin ground |
1980 "Virgin Ground" Album Version
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