Graeme Connors The Great Australian Dream
I turned west in search of something I'd never seen before,
The kind of vision Splendid Banjo saw.
With a fresh roll in my camera and an eye for things unique,
I left my mobile phone at home and went outback for a week.
I stood beneath the Tree of Knowledge, let my imagination run,
Way back to the Great Shearer's Strike of '91.
And as I quietly contemplated all that tragic history,
A tour bus full of kids from the city pulled up in front of me.
And its baseball caps on backwards like they wear 'em in LA,
Coca Cola, Nike shoes and Oakley shades.
Here in the middle of the Heartland, I feel I'm caught between
Beverley Hills 90210 and the Great Australian Dream.
Thought I'd try a new direction down the Barcoo, headed south,
To the town built round the Black Stump and Jacky Howe.
But it was back on course next morning to the Stockman's Hall of Fame,
Where I traced the steps of the pioneers and ran into those kids again.
With baseball caps on backwards like they wear 'em in LA,
Coca Cola, Nike shoes and Oakley shades.
In the midst of myth and legend, again I'm caught between
Beverley Hills 90210 and the Great Australian Dream.
INSTRUMENTAL
I set out to find the spirit, the inspiration for John Flynn,
Walked the streets where Fysh and McGuiness gave the Kangaroo its wings.
But each time I thought I'd found it, what makes us who we are,
That bus pulls up beside me and the kids get out, yeah the kids get out.
And its baseball caps on backwards like they wear 'em in LA,
Coca Cola, Nike shoes and Oakley shades.
So I figure there's an answer somewhere in between,
Beverley Hills 90210 and the Great Australian Dream.
Lookin' for an answer,
To the Great Australian dream.
There's gotta be an answer,
To the Great Australian Dream.
