[Intro - Spoken] Hume Highway, late eighties. Young travelers with backpacks looking for a ride south. A friendly face in a heavy four-wheel drive pulled over. They stepped inside, leaving the city behind. They never left Belanglo State Forest. [Verse 1] Riding down the highway underneath the blazing sun, Looking for a pickup before the daylight was done. Hitching on the roadside with a heavy canvas pack, Stepping in the truck with no turning back. Pulls into the tree line where the pine branches hide, Driving deep into the bush for a terrifying ride. Seven young travelers vanished in the dark, Leaving in the forest a permanent mark. Belanglo State Forest, miles from the town, Where the shadows grow long and the sun goes down. A cold-hearted predator operating free, Hidden in the quiet of the Australian trees. [Pre-Chorus] From the dusty asphalt to the dirt track trail, A haunting mystery beyond the highway rail. Hume Highway, deep bush, no return. [Chorus] Belanglo shadows on the Hume Highway road, Carrying the weight of a heavy dark load. From the quiet pine trees to the courtroom stand, The most feared predator in the southern land. Ivan Milat, the shadow in the trees, Burying the truth where the cold winds freeze. [Verse 2] Nineteen ninety, Paul Onions on the run, Escaping from the vehicle, dodging from the gun. Flagged down a driver, made it out alive, The single testimony that the case could revive. Nineteen ninety-four, police at the gate, Raid on the property sealing up his fate. Found the camping gear, found the secret stash, Uncovering the evidence behind the missing cash. Seven life terms without a chance for release, Locking up the monster so the forest could have peace. [Chorus] Belanglo shadows on the Hume Highway road, Carrying the weight of a heavy dark load. From the quiet pine trees to the courtroom stand, The most feared predator in the southern land. Ivan Milat, the shadow in the trees, Burying the truth where the cold winds freeze. [Bridge - Spoken] He never confessed. Swallowed razorblades, protested in his cell. Died in Long Bay prison, 2019. The secrets stayed buried in the pine needles. [Final Chorus] Belanglo shadows on the Hume Highway road, Carrying the weight of a heavy dark load. From the quiet pine trees to the courtroom stand, The most feared predator in the southern land. Ivan Milat, the shadow in the trees, Burying the truth where the cold winds freeze. [Outro - Spoken] October 2019. Long Bay Hospital. Case closed forever.
