Virgin Ground Songtext
von Redgum

Sydney town, 1885: sulphur air and blackened skies
And you live your life in the pocket of a richer man
From the sheds and the docks and down the mines
From the back blocks of Queensland to the Goyder line
The banks hold the money and they kick the strikers down with guns

We won′t drop anchor 'til we reach Altamira Sound
Heave away, we′re new Australia bound
Heave away, we're new Australia bound
For virgin ground


In crookеy little offices in Adеlaide
You count company profits but you're underpaid
There must be more to life than the promise of another day
So collect your tools and pack your bags
The sea is calling, hoist a brave new flag
We′ll make history in the forests of Paraguay

We won′t drop anchor 'til we reach Altamira Sound
Heave away, we′re new Australia bound
Heave away, we're new Australia bound
For virgin ground

Wide-eyed romantics and a half-baked dream
Your motives aren′t what they seem
You've got your feet caked in Australian mud
And you can′t deny what's in your blood
And the Paraguay skies and the nights so cold
You can forsake your country and lose your soul
You've gotta run from your troubles, no need to stand your ground


Heave away, we′re new Australia bound
We won′t drop anchor 'til we reach Altamira Sound
Heave away, we′re new Australia bound
For virgin ground