Ballad

When I first hit the switchback, I could barely breathe, Sweating out these demons isn't done with ease,
By the time I hit the second everything is overgrown, Still three more to go before that old block road,
As my brush saw grows heavy and my bones begin to ache, I wonder how many more steps 'til I can start my day,
When I finally find the front of my foul beast, I steal one last glance at my darling as her brush is to the east,
This ain't a lullaby for a child, No it won't help you sleep,
It's not meant for the unpleasant company in which we keep,
It's not a ballad for a bushman, I'll tell you that my friend,
It's for the ear of my dear when the day is at its end,
My boots haven't felt burdened, such as they feel today, It must be all the water that I've collected along the way,
There's life left in these caulks don't get me wrong the grip is good, I'm just sweating out the last week off like any worker would,
By the gas stains on my gloves, I'm nearly hitting stones, And by the hummin' of the motor it's easy to feel alone,
But when the tank runs dry and the engine sputters out, I'll hear the slicin' of her saw amongst the singin' of her mouth,
This ain't a lullaby for a child, No it won't help you sleep,
It's not meant for the unpleasant company in which we keep,
It's not a ballad for a bushman, I'll tell you that my friend,
It's for the ear of my dear when the day is at its end,
As the clock hits quittin' time I'd say I timed that one quite well, I'm short on a witness but I've brushed the gates of hell,
I'll set aside my saw and grab what's left of my lunch, Fasten my empty jerry and journey down to the trucks,
We'll catch our lift to town, down to Bailey Road, The shack there on the left is where we call our home,
Just me and my darling, oh, me and my dear, And if trouble comes your way stay the hell away from here,
This ain't a lullaby for a child, No it won't help you sleep,
It's not meant for the unpleasant company in which we keep,
It's not a ballad for a bushman, I'll tell you that my friend,
It's for the ear of my dear when the day is at its end,