[Spoken opening] For Butchulla, Gubbi Gubbi, and all First Nations peoples across Queensland—this is our red dirt piano and story album, our own Wide Bay side tales. [Piano opens, then full band swells in] [Verse 1] Now the night grows late and the lights turn low Down at the bay pub where the salt winds blow The crowd thins out and the talk dies down But the piano still holds its ground We’ve sung of cane‑fields, roads and rain Sung of joy and sung of pain Every tale we told tonight Lives on in the warm starlight [Pre-Chorus] We’ll pack our things and we’ll head for home But the song stays here where the breezes roam No matter where the years may lead — That Queensland melody’s all we need [Chorus] Where the song remains — by the bay, by the tide! Every story deep inside! Where the song remains — red‑dirt and sea! Queensland tune, forever free! Where the song remains — by the bay, by the tide! Every story deep inside! Where the song remains — red‑dirt and sea! Queensland tune, forever free! [Verse 2] The piano’s quiet for a little while But it waits for the next arvo’s smile New folks will come with new tales to tell New dreams to weave, new hopes to dwell From the inland range to the wide bay shore — Our home’s alive, now and evermore [Pre-Chorus] We’ll pack our things and we’ll head for home But the song stays here where the breezes roam No matter where the years may lead — That Queensland melody’s all we need [Chorus] Where the song remains — by the bay, by the tide! Every story deep inside! Where the song remains — red‑dirt and sea! Queensland tune, forever free! Where the song remains — by the bay, by the tide! Every story deep inside! Where the song remains — red‑dirt and sea! Queensland tune, forever free! [Bridge] When the first light touches the eastern sky We’ll wake again ‘neath our big blue sky — And the song will rise once more… [Final Chorus] Where the song remains — by the bay, by the tide! Every story deep inside! Where the song remains — red‑dirt and sea! Queensland tune, forever free! [Fade: lone piano + soft tide wash]
