[Spoken Dedication] For the Vietnam veterans who came home to Queensland, including Uncle John, and for all who received no welcome, no thanks, no fair go. For Butchulla, Gubbi Gubbi, and all First Nations people across this land. This is our story, our red dirt heart. [Verse 1] Late at night at the old servo store Counter light glints on the dusty floor Old man sits there, cup of tea in hand Watchin’ rigs roll across the land He talks ‘bout the boys who went away Talks ‘bout the hopes that faded grey Says “Some came back but they weren’t the same — Carried a weight no one could name” [Pre-Chorus] They drifted in and they drifted out Some left quiet, some left with a shout But their stories stay where the lamp burns bright — Down at the servo through the night [Chorus] Servo counter blues — shinin’ on the worn‑out wood! Servo counter blues — tales we understood! Servo counter blues — late‑night lamp glow! Servo counter blues — where the old winds blow! Servo counter blues — shinin’ on the worn‑out wood! Servo counter blues — tales we understood! Servo counter blues — late‑night lamp glow! Servo counter blues — where the old winds blow! [Verse 2] Uncle John would stop there now and then Sit quiet down where the light came in Didn’t say much, just sipped his tea Stared out west where the shadows be Folks knew something weighed him deep inside But few asked why, few tried to hide Behind their own busy day‑to‑day — Too caught up in their own way [Pre-Chorus] They drifted in and they drifted out Some left quiet, some left with a shout But their stories stay where the lamp burns bright — Down at the servo through the night [Chorus] Servo counter blues — shinin’ on the worn‑out wood! Servo counter blues — tales we understood! Servo counter blues — late‑night lamp glow! Servo counter blues — where the old winds blow! Servo counter blues — shinin’ on the worn‑out wood! Servo counter blues — tales we understood! Servo counter blues — late‑night lamp glow! Servo counter blues — where the old winds blow! [Bridge] Time moves on and the years roll fast Some things linger, some things pass But the lamp still glows for the ones who came — For every life, every name [Final Chorus] Servo counter blues — shinin’ on the worn‑out wood! Servo counter blues — tales we understood! Servo counter blues — late‑night lamp glow! Servo counter blues — where the old winds blow! [Outro] Melodic guitar and distant truck hum fade
