Alternative lyrics for Diamantina Drover

This one’s a hit around the campfire

Rusty Ford Cortina

aka Rusty Old Corolla

Sung to the tune of Diamantina Drover

The vinyl on the dashboard has all faded
And I can’t believe the speedo’s reading true
For it’s been 10 years today
Since I purchased this old station - wagon
And I’ll drive this hack till the driving’s done.

chorus:
For the rain always falls on my rusty Ford Cortina
Bits keep falling off and get left behind
And the muffler’s mighty roar
Always causes a sensation
And I’ll drive this hack till the driving’s done.

Seems when I start it up each morning
That it’s gonna take me half the day
There’s only one headlight
And it isn’t very bright
It bucks and jumps and handles like a dray.

Sometimes I think I’ll buy myself a new one
But they cost so much I always change my mind
And the tailgate rattles on and on
And the front end’s most peculiar
And I’ll drive this hack till the driving’s done.

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:rofl::rofl: nice one Tony, I was singing it through in my head, and resisted the temptation to rush of and pick up the guitar :grimacing: as I didn’t want to highjack another thread :face_with_peeking_eye:

I’m quite enjoying changing up of lyrics. Never really thought about it much. I’ve only ever done it twice for friends once to the tune of Comfortably Numb and the other Margaritaville :face_with_peeking_eye:

Never heard this song, but I put it on and sang along with your lyrics on the first listen and they scanned well (as well as being humorous :laughing:) This also gives me hope of being able to ‘jam’ along, once I learn the sound of the various chord intervals on guitar :wink:

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It’s a great song, originally done by Redgum but also done very well by John Williamson

Today, at the usual Murbah Men’s shed we all strummed to it.

I like doing it fingerstyle, here’s my detailed notes on it

Diamantina Drover
Redgum
Key: C

Note: Pinch Bass note and B string (thumb and middle)
Note: D - thumb
Note: G - index
Note: B - middle
Note: (for 2nd measure)
Note: E (little) - ring
Note: B - middle
Note: G - index
Note: D - thumb
Note:
Note: Alternate pattern
Note: Pinch Bass note and E (little) string (thumb and ring)
Note: B - middle
Note: G - index
Note: E (little) - ring
Note:
Note: riff: (8 beats)
Note: 1. asus2 pinch bass and B (thumb and ring)
Note: 2. hammer on B to Am chord (hammer on with index)
Note: 3. D - thumb
Note: 4. G - index
Note: 5. B - middle
Note: 6. B - hammer on index first fret
Note: 7. E (little) ring
Note: 8. pause
Note:
Note: Capo 3

Intro:

C G AmAmx2

Verse 1

C            G               Am    Am

The faces in the photograph have faded
C G F F
And I can’t believe he looks so much like me
Am Em
For it’s been ten years today
Dm Am
Since I left for Old Cork Station (use alternate pattern both measures)
| DmC F G | Am Am
Sayin’ I won’t be back till the drovin’s done

Chorus
Am C Dm Am
For the rain never falls on the dusty Diamantina
C Em F F
And a drover finds it hard to change his mind
Am Em
For the years have surely gone
F Am
Like the drays from Old Cork Station
| DmC F G | Am Am
And I won’t be back till the drovin’s done

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Sorry about the bad cut / paste, it didn’t keep the spacing for the chords.

If anyone is interested in a pdf with the chords I use, send me a private message with your email address

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