Hearts Above The Waterline

Words & Music: Pat Drummond.
Dateline : 18/07/1992 : Nyngan, NSW

A song for SES volunteers and the families who have struggled with the impact of recent floods which seem to alternate with prolonged drought, making Australia a challenging place to live and work. First written after The Nyngan floods and performed during my stint as the musical reporter on  Hinch; this is it's first recording.

Hearts Above The Waterline

Families that face tough times

Courage on the sandbank lines

as Nyngan takes it stand

But dreams won't keep the bedding dry

Hope alone won't turn the tide

when Hearts Above The Waterline

are all that hold the land

Her ancient face so cracked and dry

The creeks can't hold the tears she cries

and as the river starts to rise a little more

Sheep knee deep in the black soil plain

Sorghum bent by endless rain

A sea of mud rolls through the grain

towards her door

And she has seen it all before

 

Hearts Above The Waterline

Families that face tough times

Courage on the sandbank lines

as Nyngan takes it stand

But dreams won't keep the bedding dry

Hope alone won't turn the tide

when Hearts Above The Waterline

are all that hold the land

Through arising tide of interest rates

She fought to keep the banks at bay

but now the banks have washed away

along the river

But all the water in this flood

can't wash away a family's blood

Six generations make this mud

a home forever

And she is crying to the river

 

Hearts Above The Waterline

Families that face tough times

Courage on the sandbank lines

as Nyngan takes it stand

But dreams won't keep the bedding dry

Hope alone won't turn the tide

when Hearts Above The Waterline

are all that hold the land

 

Voluenteers

in fragile boats

sail out across the strand

where stockman drove the cattle home

they row across the land

seeking for a miracle and searching for a sign

coming down your telephone line

your heart is linked to mine

 

Hearts Above The Waterline

Families that face tough times

Courage on the sandbank lines

as Nyngan takes it stand

But dreams won't keep the bedding dry

Hope alone won't turn the tide

when Hearts Above The Waterline

are all that hold the land

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