[Intro] [Spoken: For the Butchulla and Gubbi Gubbi peoples, and all First Nations peoples across Queensland — with respect, these are our Wide Bay side tales.] [Verse 1] There’s an old bloke walkin’ the back‑road track Hat pulled low on his weathered back He’s seen the cane grow tall and bend Seen the wet‑season rains descend He’s fished the bays when the tides were high Watched the storms roll ‘cross the sky Says “Son don’t rush where the roads may go — Learn from the land, let the seasons flow” [Pre-Chorus] He’s wandered far, he’s wandered near Carried hope through the hard years No gold or prize to call his own — Just the red‑dirt ground he’s always known [Chorus] Back‑road wanderer — step by step he goes! Knows the gum‑tree breeze, knows the river flows! Back‑road wanderer — eyes on the horizon line! Queensland stories in his mind! Back‑road wanderer — step by step he goes! Knows the gum‑tree breeze, knows the river flows! Back‑road wanderer — eyes on the horizon line! Queensland stories in his mind! [Verse 2] He stops sometimes at the old creek bed Sits a while where the cool winds spread Remembers mates who moved away Remembers summers of yesterday Says “Some days are hot and some days are grey Some days the sun lights up your way You lose some things and you gain some too — That’s just the way the land works through” [Pre-Chorus] He’s wandered far, he’s wandered near Carried hope through the hard years No gold or prize to call his own — Just the red‑dirt ground he’s always known [Chorus] Back‑road wanderer — step by step he goes! Knows the gum‑tree breeze, knows the river flows! Back‑road wanderer — eyes on the horizon line! Queensland stories in his mind! Back‑road wanderer — step by step he goes! Knows the gum‑tree breeze, knows the river flows! Back‑road wanderer — eyes on the horizon line! Queensland stories in his mind! [Bridge] When the sun sinks low and the shadows creep He turns for home where the lights are asleep But his tales stay walkin’ down every track — Passed from the old ones to the young ones back [Final Chorus] Back‑road wanderer — step by step he goes! Knows the gum‑tree breeze, knows the river flows! Back‑road wanderer — eyes on the horizon line! Queensland stories in his mind! [Outro] [Quiet piano fade]
