(Slow guitar swell → full band rises) Verse 1 Now the sun goes down on the cane‑field line Stars come out where the shadows climb We’ve sung of summer, we’ve sung of dust Sung of the ones who carried the trust Some came home with a welcome bright Some came home in the quiet night No band played loud, no flag was flown — Just them walkin’ back to their own Pre‑Chorus From the Wide Bay shore to the Gulf’s far side — We remember them, far and wide No matter what the years may bring — Their quiet story still will sing Chorus (big belting + backing shouts): For the ones who came home quiet — under the gum‑tree sky! For the ones who came home quiet — no fanfare passing by! For the ones who came home quiet — we hold their story high! For the ones who came home quiet — beneath the Queensland sky! For the ones who came home quiet — under the gum‑tree sky! For the ones who came home quiet — no fanfare passing by! For the ones who came home quiet — we hold their story high! For the ones who came home quiet — beneath the Queensland sky! Verse 2 Uncle John’s track is still out there today Down the red‑dirt where the cane‑stalks sway He tried his best through the hard long years Carried his hurt, carried his fears Now we tell his tale so it won’t fade out — Give his name a voice, give it a shout Not for glory, not for parade — Just for the truth of the price he paid Pre‑Chorus From the Wide Bay shore to the Gulf’s far side — We remember them, far and wide No matter what the years may bring — Their quiet story still will sing Chorus: For the ones who came home quiet — under the gum‑tree sky! For the ones who came home quiet — no fanfare passing by! For the ones who came home quiet — we hold their story high! For the ones who came home quiet — beneath the Queensland sky! For the ones who came home quiet — under the gum‑tree sky! For the ones who came home quiet — no fanfare passing by! For the ones who came home quiet — we hold their story high! For the ones who came home quiet — beneath the Queensland sky! Bridge (soaring guitar peak): They sent them out to stand the line — Now it’s our turn to make their story shine! Not with noise, not with grand display — Just rememberin’ every day! Final Chorus (peak power → slow fade): For the ones who came home quiet — under the gum‑tree sky! For the ones who came home quiet — no fanfare passing by! For the ones who came home quiet — we hold their story high! For the ones who came home quiet — beneath the Queensland sky! (Fade: ringing guitar + soft tide‑wash)
