Cattlecamp Crooner - Slim Dusty

I was raised on a farm where our lives were calm

In a land of honey and creed

As a boy I played in the summer time shade

By the banks of the Onalus streams

Many years have gone since I left that home,

Just juice still runs in my veins,

I’m just an old Australian cattle camp crooner,

Why should I ever change,

Why should I ever change.

They say my dad was a bit of a lad,

They called him Noisy Dan

He worked in the bush far from the push

Of the hustle of a noisy town.

Oh he could rattle off tales in the stockyard rails,

Of the wild old life he’s had,

I’m just an old Australian cattle camp crooner,

Following me dear ole dad,

following me dear ole dad.

(Yeh play now)

Now I’ve got mates in every state,

I’ve been all over this land,

When it’s cold I hit the road

And head for Darwin or Cairns.

Some fogies say for livin' this way,

I must be out of my mind,

I’m just all Australian cattle camp crooner

One of the wandering kind,

One of the wandering kind.

Don’t mind a smoke or a drink with the blokes,

When day is over and done

I’m proud to be in this land of the free,

And to live my life in the sun.

Oh, I don’t wear chaps or a curled up hat

My clothes are simple and plain,

I’m just an all Australian cattle camp crooner,

Why should I ever change,

Why should I ever change.

(Ah, play it again)

Now I’ve reached the state that nears old age,

I soak up everyone’s praise

I brag to the young of the things I’ve done,

Way back in the batting days.

And when I leave this place for the chosen race,

And head for the heavenly range,

For they’ll say, «Here come that cattle camp crooner,»

Why can’t he ever change, (Oh no no)

Why should I ever change,

Why should I ever change

Why should I ever change,

Why should I ever change.