[Spoken Dedication] For the Vietnam veterans who came home to Queensland, including Uncle John, and for everyone who came home to no welcome, no thanks, no fair go. For Butchulla and Gubbi Gubbi people, and all First Nations people across this land. This is our story. Our red-dirt heart. [Verse 1] Sun sinks low on the cane-field edge Shadows stretch where the old fence led I’m thinkin’ ‘bout the ones who went away Thinkin’ ‘bout the debts we still have to pay Some gave their youth, some gave their peace Some walked home with no release But we made a promise down the years — To hold their story, hold their tears [Pre-Chorus] It’s a red-dirt promise, deep and true Stuck in the dust where the gum-trees grew No matter how far the years may roam — We carry it home, carry it home [Chorus] Red-dirt promise — burnin’ soft and slow! Red-dirt promise — where the warm winds blow! Red-dirt promise — deep beneath the sky! Red-dirt promise — never gonna die! Red-dirt promise — burnin’ soft and slow! Red-dirt promise — where the warm winds blow! Red-dirt promise — deep beneath the sky! Red-dirt promise — never gonna die! [Verse 2] I walk the track where Uncle John once trod See the marks left in the red-dirt sod He tried to keep goin’ day after day Tried to push all the dark away Some nights he’d sit and stare out far Watch the first light of the evening star Wishin’ someone would understand Wishin’ someone would lend a hand [Pre-Chorus] It’s a red-dirt promise, deep and true Stuck in the dust where the gum-trees grew No matter how far the years may roam — We carry it home, carry it home [Chorus] Red-dirt promise — burnin’ soft and slow! Red-dirt promise — where the warm winds blow! Red-dirt promise — deep beneath the sky! Red-dirt promise — never gonna die! Red-dirt promise — burnin’ soft and slow! Red-dirt promise — where the warm winds blow! Red-dirt promise — deep beneath the sky! Red-dirt promise — never gonna die! [Bridge] It ain’t a medal, ain’t a grand parade — Just us rememberin’ the price they paid Keepin’ their name alive and bright Through the heat and through the night [Final Chorus] Red-dirt promise — burnin’ soft and slow! Red-dirt promise — where the warm winds blow! Red-dirt promise — deep beneath the sky! Red-dirt promise — never gonna die! [Outro] Clean guitar and soft breeze fade
