[Spoken Intro] For the Vietnam veterans who came home to Queensland—Uncle John, and all who returned to no welcome, no thanks, no fair go. For the Butchulla, the Gubbi Gubbi, and all First Nations people across this land. This is our story. Our red-dirt heart. [Verse 1] Down the highway into the bay-side town Lights come up when the sun goes down Cane-cutters roll in from the paddock late Truckies pull up through the servo gate Kids run down where the main street bends Mates meet up where the pub light lends Everybody’s got a job to do — Some work hard, some just see it through [Pre-Chorus] We’re walkin’ the streets where the warm winds blow Watchin’ the lights come and go, come and go No big-city shine, no fancy show — Just Wide Bay town lights glow! [Chorus] Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the bitumen! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the women and men! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the cane-field line! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on this heart of mine! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the bitumen! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the women and men! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the cane-field line! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on this heart of mine! [Verse 2] Old bloke leans on the pub verandah rail Watches the traffic go down the trail Says “Son I’ve seen the seasons turn — Seen the drought burn hot, seen the wet-season burn You work the land and you work the road You carry the load where the load is owed Some days you win and some days you fall — But you turn up for it all” [Pre-Chorus] We’re walkin’ the streets where the warm winds blow Watchin’ the lights come and go, come and go No big-city shine, no fancy show — Just Wide Bay town lights glow! [Chorus] Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the bitumen! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the women and men! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the cane-field line! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on this heart of mine! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the bitumen! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the women and men! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the cane-field line! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on this heart of mine! [Bridge] When the midnight hour comes creepin’ in Lights dim down but the memories begin — Every soul that’s walked this street before Left their mark on the bay-side shore! [Final Chorus] Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the bitumen! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the women and men! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on the cane-field line! Wide Bay town lights — shinin’ on this heart of mine! [Outro] (Fade: twangy guitar + distant traffic)
