Six decks to Darwin' won the 'Bush Ballad of the Year' category in the 2021 golden guitar awards. It is of particular interest to me as it references my hometown.
SIX DECKS TO DARWIN
(D.Perrett, K.Dixon, R.Garland)
Six decks to Darwin hauling up the Duncan Road
I just drove out of Newry with a load of Top End gold
Heading for the export ships, those drovers of the sea
Six decks bound for Darwin, big heart of the Territory
On the stations in the Top End they are mustering the steers
For live export out of Wyndham and the Darwin Harbour piers
So we got the roadtrains rolling and we’re heading out to load
In this fabled series Kenworth I power up the road
When the soft grey light of morning comes a-creeping through the sky
The trailers are a-rattlin’ as we load the cattle high
One eighty head of brahman beauties are ready for the ride
And to tell you that I love the job should come as no surprise
Yeah, I got six decks to Darwin hauling up the Buntine Road
Just drove out of Camfield with a load of Top End gold
Heading for the export ships, those drovers of the sea
Six decks bound for Darwin, big heart of the Territory
I glance back in my mirrors where the trailers track behind
I see a dust cloud risin’ and fillin’ up the sky
I’ll stop to check the cattle now and then along the way
Then when we hit the bitumen, the wind will fill our sails
From the red dust and the ranges to the ocean deep and blue
You’ll hear the old girl growlin’ as the gear shift changes through
There’s the song of travellin’ cattle to the rhythm of the road
While the horses ‘neath the bonnet knuckle down and bear the load
Yeah, I got six decks to Darwin hauling up the Barkly Road
Just rolled out of Lake Nash with a load of Top End gold
Heading for the export ships, those drovers of the sea
Six decks bound for Darwin, big heart of the Territory
Yeah, I got six decks to Darwin hauling up the Duncan Road
Just rolled out of Rosewood with a load of Top End gold
Heading for the export ships, those drovers of the sea
Six decks bound for Darwin, big heart of the Territory
Youtube clip
Dean Perrett recorded and wrote most of the song. He explains the background in this clip:
Click
--Stewie.
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sj