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The Old Bush Dance

from Out My Window by Bruce Watson

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about

Old time dances are one of the most delightful parts of Australian folk culture. I put my words to two traditional tunes, slightly adapted: the Old Valetta Waltz and the beautiful Spanish Waltz. I’m delighted that the Emu Creek Band were able to record the song with me. Turn up your stereo and dance to this one!

lyrics

It’s Saturday night in a small country town
The women squeeze into their long flowing gowns
The men swap their overalls for a tie and a suit
Round up the kids, and it’s off in the ute
At the hall ladies glide through the still summer air
As the young and the old dance away the week’s cares
Chasséeing, swinging and clapping their hands
As they sway to the tunes of the accordion band

They played, they played, those fingers danced lightly
The notes cascade, we all danced so sprightly
Those far off days, those Saturday nights
When we danced the Waltz Cotillions & the Polka Quadrille

It’s “Take your partners, please,” says the caller once more
As the weary hot couples find their way to the floor
For the Alberts Quadrille and the Waltz Country Dance
A short introduction, then up strikes the band
Young couples dance closely, some awkward and shy
As the mothers and fathers keep a close watchful eye
The kids weave and dart like a flock of galahs
As the music drifts up through the night to the stars

Now it’s karaoke bars and it’s poker machines
For some people that’s what a good time out means
Not for them the concertina, the banjo and bones
The button accordion or the fiddle’s sweet tones
Real music is people like you and me here
Not woofers and tweeters and electronic gear
So let’s sing and let’s dance for the music of old
May it live on and on, may it shine through like gold

credits

from Out My Window, released August 5, 2020

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Bruce Watson Melbourne, Australia

Joyful, hilarious, thought provoking and totally engaging original songs from one of Australia's foremost songwriters and performers in the folk style.

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