Bass Strait Cowboy

 Bass Strait Cowboy was a derogative label given to merchant seamen who only crossed Bass Strait. I wrote these lyrics in July 2021 and entered them in the Australian songwriters Association's competition and was shortlisted. I have never put music to this.


BASS STRAIT COWBOY


In Northwest Tasmania there's a man called Stan

That worked on a fishing trawler

He quit the job after a sleepless night

When Roaring winds aided the torture

With no wages to buy booze, or take his girlfriend on a cruise

Stan just tuned his old guitar

Went down to the street, with sea boots on his feet

Aiming to be a star


He is a Bass Strait Cowboy

with a voice to ahoy

Stan is a Joy

Bass Strait Cowboy


Stan’s girlfriend was impressed by his talent

So she went and bought him a hat

He stuck it on his head to impress the folks

Who would rather Burt Bacharach

But Stan didn't care, put money on a mare

To buy a Maton Guitar

Loving Wales, sub sonic scales

Aiming to be a star


He is a Bass Strait Cowboy

with a voice to ahoy

Stan is a Joy

Bass Strait Cowboy


The Donkey-man of the ferry made a request

As he walked up to Stan

But the seasoned deck hand from the sea

stuck to his original plan

A contemporary, of harmony

Aided by an old Guitar

You should see Stan, shredding like a man

Aiming to be a star


He is a Bass Strait Cowboy

with a voice to ahoy

Stan is a Joy

Bass Strait Cowboy


© Beswick July 2021  

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