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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