[Spoken Intro] For Butchulla, Gubbi Gubbi, and all First Nations peoples across Queensland: this is our Wide Bay to Gulf story, our own red-dirt bond. [Verse 1] The sun hangs low on the bitumen line Long shadows stretch where the gum‑trees climb I’m rollin’ north where the cane‑fields spread Old ute hummin’ beneath my head Radio driftin’ from a servo sign Every mile leaves a memory behind Been away for a long long time Chasin’ work down the coast‑side line [Verse 2] I’ve seen the lights of the city glow But my heart still sits where the red winds blow Mates I grew up with are scattered wide Some out west where the ranges ride Some stayed home by the bay’s blue swell Some went far where the roads run well But the bond we had ain’t ever gone — It’s in the dust where we all belong [Pre-Chorus] So far from home, but the road still calls Every bend where the tall gum falls We drift apart, we drift back near — Queensland blood, we’re still right here [Chorus] Red‑dirt highway — stretchin’ out before me! Long shadows fall where the wide winds roam! Red‑dirt highway — every mile reminds me! Of the mates and the land I call home! Red‑dirt highway — stretchin’ out before me! Long shadows fall where the wide winds roam! Red‑dirt highway — every mile reminds me! Of the mates and the land I call home! [Verse 3] The dusk turns blue and the stars come out Headlights cut through the dark about Think of the days we were young and free Racin’ utes down the creek‑side lea Now we’re men with our own hard loads Walkin’ rough down our separate roads Still if you call when the night’s turned deep — I’ll turn around and I’ll come to keep [Pre-Chorus] So far from home, but the road still calls Every bend where the tall gum falls We drift apart, we drift back near — Queensland blood, we’re still right here [Chorus] Red‑dirt highway — stretchin’ out before me! Long shadows fall where the wide winds roam! Red‑dirt highway — every mile reminds me! Of the mates and the land I call home! Red‑dirt highway — stretchin’ out before me! Long shadows fall where the wide winds roam! Red‑dirt highway — every mile reminds me! Of the mates and the land I call home! [Bridge] Some roads go north, some roads go west Some lead you far, some lead you rest No matter how far the distance grows — That red‑dirt rhythm still flows [Final Chorus] Red‑dirt highway — stretchin’ out before me! Long shadows fall where the wide winds roam! Red‑dirt highway — every mile reminds me! Of the mates and the land I call home! [Outro] Ringing guitar and distant ute hum
