Granddad's Crusty damper
Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 7:46 pm
GRANDDAD’S CRUSTY DAMPER
I squatted ‘neath the willow tree and memories came back
of childhood days with grandpa and the way he had the knack
of knowing how to pick a spot to cast your fishing rod
and luring out his fav’rite catch the good old Murray cod.
He taught me how to clean my catch and how to bake it too
inside an old camp oven like his dad taught him to do.
We’d bake spuds in their jackets, but the thing that got to me’
was granddads crusty damper, cockey’s joy and billy tea.
CHORUS
Yes golden crusty damper with some cocky’s joy’s a treat
and washed down with some billy tea is really hard to beat.
He had a knack with most things, but the thing that got to me’
was granddads crusty damper, cockey’s joy and billy tea.
This round-yard brings back memories I vividly recall,
my first ride on that young bay colt and how I took a fall.
Gramps taught me how to get back up, to take it in my stride,
despite my tattered ego and my bruised and battered pride.
I shared the dusty musterings, the branding in the yards
and how to cook bush oysters by the fire was on the cards.
I reckon they were chewy, but the thing that got to me’
was granddads crusty damper, cockey’s joy and billy tea.
CHORUS
Yes golden crusty damper with some cocky’s joy’s a treat
and washed down with some billy tea is really hard to beat.
He had a knack with most things, but the thing that got to me’
was granddads crusty damper, cockey’s joy and billy tea.
Returning to old ‘Corkdale’ now that granddad’s passed away
has mustered many mem’ries of a bygone yesterday.
He was my friend and mentor and he taught me all he knew,
and the last word’s that he whispered were, “I’ve left ‘Corkdale’ to you.”
We had the wake just yesterday and Cat’rers made the spread
with lots of tasty sandwiches all made on shop baked bread.
I really liked the fillings, but the thing I missed you see
was granddads crusty damper, cockey’s joy and billy tea.
CHORUS
Yes golden crusty damper with some cocky’s joy’s a treat
and washed down with some billy tea is really hard to beat.
He had a knack with most things, but the thing I missed you see
was granddads crusty damper, cockey’s joy and billy tea.
© Bush Poet and Ballad Writer -Merv Webster
I recall having had some great times fishing with my grandfather Jim Martyn in the McIntyre River at Goondiwindi and thought about how many others would have learnt things from their grandfathers as well. These thoughts inspired me to write the above song. The lyrics were entered in the Northern Territory Country Music Songwriting Awards and picked up a finalist spot and won in 2006.
This song was also included on the “From Bard to Balladeer” album in 2006 and the “Bush Verse and Ballads album in 2010.
I squatted ‘neath the willow tree and memories came back
of childhood days with grandpa and the way he had the knack
of knowing how to pick a spot to cast your fishing rod
and luring out his fav’rite catch the good old Murray cod.
He taught me how to clean my catch and how to bake it too
inside an old camp oven like his dad taught him to do.
We’d bake spuds in their jackets, but the thing that got to me’
was granddads crusty damper, cockey’s joy and billy tea.
CHORUS
Yes golden crusty damper with some cocky’s joy’s a treat
and washed down with some billy tea is really hard to beat.
He had a knack with most things, but the thing that got to me’
was granddads crusty damper, cockey’s joy and billy tea.
This round-yard brings back memories I vividly recall,
my first ride on that young bay colt and how I took a fall.
Gramps taught me how to get back up, to take it in my stride,
despite my tattered ego and my bruised and battered pride.
I shared the dusty musterings, the branding in the yards
and how to cook bush oysters by the fire was on the cards.
I reckon they were chewy, but the thing that got to me’
was granddads crusty damper, cockey’s joy and billy tea.
CHORUS
Yes golden crusty damper with some cocky’s joy’s a treat
and washed down with some billy tea is really hard to beat.
He had a knack with most things, but the thing that got to me’
was granddads crusty damper, cockey’s joy and billy tea.
Returning to old ‘Corkdale’ now that granddad’s passed away
has mustered many mem’ries of a bygone yesterday.
He was my friend and mentor and he taught me all he knew,
and the last word’s that he whispered were, “I’ve left ‘Corkdale’ to you.”
We had the wake just yesterday and Cat’rers made the spread
with lots of tasty sandwiches all made on shop baked bread.
I really liked the fillings, but the thing I missed you see
was granddads crusty damper, cockey’s joy and billy tea.
CHORUS
Yes golden crusty damper with some cocky’s joy’s a treat
and washed down with some billy tea is really hard to beat.
He had a knack with most things, but the thing I missed you see
was granddads crusty damper, cockey’s joy and billy tea.
© Bush Poet and Ballad Writer -Merv Webster
I recall having had some great times fishing with my grandfather Jim Martyn in the McIntyre River at Goondiwindi and thought about how many others would have learnt things from their grandfathers as well. These thoughts inspired me to write the above song. The lyrics were entered in the Northern Territory Country Music Songwriting Awards and picked up a finalist spot and won in 2006.
This song was also included on the “From Bard to Balladeer” album in 2006 and the “Bush Verse and Ballads album in 2010.