"I've been everywhere man....."
'wouldn't it be loverly....if I had'
Do we sing more at this time of the year with Christmas Carols and Auld Lang Syne or am I still euphoric after being a participant in the World Famous Pub Choir on 29 November? Whatever it is, it got me thinking about travel songs relevant to my journey and I’ve been everywhere ..the melody weaved through my head effortlessly like the famous ear-worm that it is,...with my rejoinder out of another song from My Fair Lady...wouldn’t it be loverly..if only I had.
Anyway despite copies being made with toponyms for English, Scottish, New Zealand and USA, the original version of “I’ve Been Everywhere" is Australian! Written by Geoff Mack in 1959 and made popular by Lucky Starr in 1962.
I’ve copied the lyrics below and highlighted all the places I’ve been to in Australia. So, like my overseas travel quilt, I’ve still a lot more sewing and criss-crossing to do both here and overseas in order to truly say that "I’ve been everywhere".
I've been everywhere... Well, I was humpin' my bluey on the dusty Oodnadatta road, When along came a semi with a high and canvas-covered load. (Spoken) "If you're goin' to Oodnadatta, mate, um, with me you can ride." So I climbed in the cabin and I settled down inside. He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand, I said "Listen, mate, I've travelled ev'ry road in this here land." Chorus: Cos "I've been everywhere, man, I've been everywhere, man. 'Cross the deserts bare, man; I've breathed the mountain air, man. Of travel I've had my share, man. I've been ev'rywhere. Been to: Tullamore, Seymour, Lismore, Mooloolaba, Nambour, Maroochydore, Kilmore, Murwillumbah, Birdsville, Emmaville, Wallaville, Cunnamulla, Condamine, Strathpine, Proserpine, Ulladulla, Darwin, Gin Gin, Deniliquin, Muckadilla, Wallumbilla, Boggabilla, Kumbarilla, I'm a killer. Chorus (Spoken) "Yeah but listen here, mate, have you been to..." I've been to Moree, Taree, Jerilderie, Bambaroo, Toowoomba, Gunnedah, Caringbah, Woolloomooloo, Dalveen, Tamborine, Engadine, Jindabyne, Lithgow, Casino, Brigalow and Narromine, Megalong, Wyong, Tuggerawong, Wangarella, Morella, Augathella, Brindabella, I'm the feller. Chorus (Spoken) "Yeah, I know that, but have you been to..." I've been to Wollongong, Geelong, Kurrajong, Mullumbimby, Mittagong, Molong, Grong Grong, Goondiwindi, Yarra Yarra, Boroondara, Wallangarra, Turramurra, Boggabri, Gundagai, Narrabri, Tibooburra, Gulgong, Adelong, Billabong, Cabramatta, Parramatta, Wangaratta*, Coolangatta, what's it matter? Chorus (Spoken) "Yeah, look that's fine, but how about..." I've been to Ettalong, Dandenong, Woodenbong, Ballarat, Canberra, Milperra, Unanderra, Captain's Flat, Cloncurry, River Murray, Kurri Kurri, Girraween, Terrigal, Fingal, Stockinbingal, Collaroy and Narrabeen, Bendigo, Dorrigo, Bangalow, Indooroopilly, Kirribilli, Yeerongpilly, Wollondilly, don't be silly. Chorus I've been here, there, ev'rywhere, I've been ev'rywhere. (Spoken) "Okay, mate, you've been ev'ry place except one, and ya don't need my help t'get there." (Sound of door slamming and truck driving off.) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… * Wangaratta is usually pronounced so that the "Wang" rhymes with "sang", but on the record it is pronounced "Wongaratta"
Why not get the version that’s relevant to your country and share with us how your criss-crossing let alone singing went? We’d all love to hear.
For anyone who’s up for the challenge, I’d love the lyrics to be re-written so they are specific to my journey. Who’s up for the dare? But to do this you’ll have to be on board for the full 90 days and not "slam the door and kick me out".
In the Aussie lingo of the song..I do need ya help t’get there...crossed deserts bare man; breathed the mountain air,man….without giving too much away….see you at the end of the 90 days.