Australian artists - country folk flavour

Australiana, Jig, Wellerman, Folk and Country (a little Blues)

Australian bush balled jig of hiking the Molonglo River Gorge with friends

[Verse 1]
The sun rose high on Molonglo’s track,
Three hikers strode with packs on back.
A Colonel bold, a Navy pair,
With boots laced tight and mountain air.
Roy was dressed for the Himalayan cold,
With gear enough for storms untold.
A Boy Scout’s pack, prepared and keen,
For trails far rougher than had been—
In truth, the path was light and kind,
Not quite the test he’d had in mind.
[Chorus 1]
🎵 So raise your boots and lift your gaze,
The trail begins through gumtree haze.
Through mist and magpie’s morning call,
We hike the hills and heed the call.
Three mates alone, the bush alive—
The first grand hike of ‘25! 🎵
[Verse 2]
Now Jean-Rene came in light attire,
Like picnic days the French admire.
No weighty load, no boots so tight,
Just strolling free in morning light.
And Darryn, mate, well—bless his heart,
Geared up as though a race would start!
An ultra-run? Not quite the case,
Yet onward still he set the pace.
[Chorus 2]
🎵 So march we go past creek and stone,
With tales and laughs, but not alone.
For every track and bird we see,
Becomes a bushland reverie.
From sunburnt scrub to tree alive—
We own the hike of ‘25! 🎵
[Verse 3]
The trail it wound through bushland deep,
With birds in song and roos that leap.
A lizard swam in waters wide,
And nature’s wonders walked beside.
Yet numbers small did not dismay,
The year’s first trek was underway.
And though one mate was left behind,
(For festivals ran late that night!)
The DSSC still forged ahead,
Through highs and lows, where footsteps tread.
[Chorus 3 – Closing Refrain]
🎵 We’ll hike again, come rain or shine,
From Rob Roy hills to Brindabella’s spine.
Where gum leaves whisper and boot heels drive,
We'll toast the hikes of ‘25!
So here’s to mates and tracks anew,
With every stride, the spirit grew! 🎵

The First Hike of 2025

Australiana Wellerman Crossover by Australian based artist.

Lyrics
Before the dawn had kissed the land,
Four vehicles roared from where they stand.
From Canberra’s sprawl, in darkness deep,
To Namadgi’s peaks where secrets keep.
Jean-René, in Bavarian might,
A BMW, polished bright.
He plucked up Roy (who travels light?),
At zero-six before first light.
Michael steered his Skoda true,
With station-wagon strength in view.
Linda’s Rover, sturdy, grand,
And Darryn’s Cruiser close at hand.
Through misty bends, a convoy grand,
Four vehicles weaving through woodland.
Yet Gibraltar Falls was barred that day—
For reasons lost, or so they say.
Perhaps the past had left its mark,
A soul departed in the dark.
Or simple works kept gates drawn tight—
A mystery still at morning’s light.
Yet onward still, no pause, no fret,
For Square Rock’s path lay open yet!
A second try, with hearts so bold,
Through gum-clad hills and air so cold.
The Ascent
Darryn bore a noble load,
With coffee gear to grace the road.
Roy, prepared, with snacks in tow,
Like Boy Scouts trained for arctic snow.
Michael, clad in summer's glee,
In shorts and tee, quite worry-free.
Jean-René, with walking stick,
And French Tintin-esque pose so slick.
Linda knew, with savvy keen,
To dress for chill where air turns mean.
And up they climbed, through mist so thin,
While birdsong danced upon the wind.
They strode in single file’s embrace,
With chatter traded face-to-face.
Till boulders vast in grandeur lay,
And Square Rock's majesty held sway!
The Summit: Coffee & Legacy
Perched atop the granite throne,
The mountain whispered, "You're alone."
Yet not alone—with mugs in hand,
For Darryn brewed with barista’s stand.
Roy declared, with joyful might,
"No finer coffee graced this height!"
With lollies shared and chocolates fine,
They feasted high above the pine.
Jean-René stood, a silhouette,
A Tintin sketch in shadows set.
The vista sprawled, so wild, untamed,
While eagles soared and lyrebirds named.
Yet time was short, as time oft is,
And down they stepped from nature’s bliss.
The Descent & Departure
No serpents coiled along the way,
The sky was blue, a flawless day.
Through bog and brush, past trees burnt bare,
With mountain tales still thick in air.
Through talk of bushfires fierce and vast,
Of homes once lost, of storms long past.
Of childhoods spent in far-flung lands,
Where cattle grazed on dust and sand.
They reached the cars, their trek complete,
And sped to Clarries, bound for seats.
A eucalyptus shade so wide,
Held voices bold with hiking pride.
Final Reflections (And Not-So-Great Coffee)
The coffees? Mediocre fare.
The road-bikers? Everywhere.
But stories spun of wheels and speed,
And Michael's love for cycling freed.
So there they sat, the five now one,
Bound by track, by mist, by sun.
And though they’d part, each bound for home,
The Square Rock lore would ever roam.

2 August 2025

The Square Rock Saga

Another in the genre of hiking songs through the Australian bushland with friends.

Lyrics
Once a merry band of six set off at sunrise,
Boots on the track as the drizzle came down,
Hopping o’er puddles and trekking through bushland,
Singing and laughing, they covered the ground.

(Chorus)
Roaming the river, oh, roaming the river,
Under the gum trees, we wandered along,
Kangaroos bounding and bikers a-flying,
Down by the Murrumbidgee, singing our song. 🎶

Darryn the skipper had planned out the journey,
Packing his coffee and billy gear too,
Roy with his backpack, a swag on his shoulders,
Davai soon whittled a stick good as new.

(Chorus)
Roaming the river, oh, roaming the river,
Under the gum trees, we wandered along,
Kangaroos bounding and bikers a-flying,
Down by the Murrumbidgee, singing our song. 🎶

Raj and Davai took in all the scenery,
Wallabies watched as we strolled on our way,
One mighty kangaroo led like a captain,
Guiding us down where the river did lay.

(Chorus)
Roaming the river, oh, roaming the river,
Under the gum trees, we wandered along,
Rosellas perched high and a caterpillar crawling,
Down by the Murrumbidgee, singing our song. 🎶

Perched up on Red Rocks, we brewed up the coffee,
Sipping our mugs as the morning sun rose,
Linda was steadfast, two hikes to her tally,
Snapping up photos in picturesque pose.

Among the tall gums and the Cyprus pines standing,
Termite-proof towers so rugged and true,
They whispered their stories in breezes that lingered,
Over the hikers, beneath skies so blue.

(Chorus)
Roaming the river, oh, roaming the river,
Under the gum trees, we wandered along,
Sunlight was golden, the drizzle returning,
Down by the Murrumbidgee, singing our song. 🎶

Back to the car park, our legs feeling weary,
Raj took his leave for a family meal,
The rest to Café Beetroot, tradition unwavering,
With coffee in hand, the joy was so real!

(Final Chorus)
Roaming the river, oh, roaming the river,
Under the gum trees, we wandered along,
Stories were shared and the journey remembered,
Down by the Murrumbidgee, singing our song.

Murrumbidgee River Roam

Lyrics about participation in the 2025 Canberra Sri Chinmoy ultramarathon - 3 August 2025

[Verse 1 - Ben’s Dawn Start]
At dawn’s chill crack by Burley’s edge,Our breath a foggy mist,I stood alone, made silent pledge,In darkness, spirits kissed.The mountains waited, shadows deep,My fears began to fold;Saw Linda cheering, losing sleep,Her kindness broke the cold.

[Chorus 1]
So run, lads, run, keep spirits high,'Cross Canberra’s hills beneath the sky.Pain and pride, let courage flow,Through Namadgi’s heart, we go!

[Verse 2 - Relay Through the Pain (Nick and Clarey)]
Nick took the bib, embraced the run,Through eucalyptus fair;From Red Hill trails, beneath the sun,Breathing crisp morning air.Clarey raced on, Stromlo loomed,Snacks from Naomi's hand;An ankle twist, my hopes consumed,Yet proud I made my stand.

[Chorus 2]
Run, mates, run, through forests deep,With aching bones, our pace we'll keep.Cheer to cheer, we hold our vow,The marathon claims us now!

[Verse 3 - Michael’s Battle and Red’s Glory]
Michael fought through Arboretum’s might,Black Mountain cursed aloud;Yet Colin’s shout, and Will’s delight,My spirit made me proud.At Dickson's stage, dear Red I found,Passed on the baton clear;Mount Majura called, in pain profound,My victory drawing near.

[Chorus 3]
Run, mates, run, the light grows thin,With Canberra’s lights calling us in.Final steps, and cheers so bright,We’ll finish strong tonight!

[Verse 4 - Ben’s Solo Journey]
Ben’s my name, alone endured,Each mile a silent war;Through highs and lows, my fate assured,Remembering what it’s for.Eagles soared, ‘roos ran astray,Namadgi soothed the pain;Lake Burley Griffin, end of day,Exhausted pride again.

[Outro]
We’ve run, mates, run, our race complete,Five weary souls, our hearts now meet.Bonded strong, through trials we’ve shared,Namadgi’s call—we dared!

2025 DSSC Barkley (Canberra Sri Chinmoy) Ultra

Lyrics
At Dalsetta carpark early, waiting in the cold,
Jean-Rene’s Beemer purring, Roy scoutin’ bold.
Stick in hand, Jean-Rene stood proud and set,
While Roy in full regalia—no badges missed yet.

Then late by just six minutes, Tom came along,
Eyes to sky, fair-weather nerves strong.
Stephanie in waterproofs, ready for a downpour,
That BOM got it right, left Tom wanting more.

Ten past late, Darryn strutted into view,
Shorts so tiny, coffee gear too.
Sidekick Chris, tea brewer supreme,
Jet-boilin’ cuppas in his outdoor scheme.

Trail kicked off gently, the slope a friend,
Through kangaroos loungin’, around the bend.
Aussie bush whispers, bird calls so clear,
Jean-Rene whistlin’ French tunes Steph could hear.

Slippery granite rocks dared each foot to slip,
Billy Goat Roy danced on each deadly tip.
"Back home," he laughed, "I dropped fifty feet—
No scratches or bullets, an easy feat!"

At Gibraltar's edge, rocks wet and slick,
Roy flirted with edges, makin’ stomachs tick.
"Closer mate," we called, "you'll meet your maker!"
"Relax," says Roy, "just nature's risk-taker."

Coffee brewed midway, Tom’s smile spread wide,
Real hike reason—coffee breaks supplied.
Chris’s jet-boil whistlin’, cups passed around,
Darryn's espresso, best trail-side found.

At summit we stood, exposed to chill,
Innuendo and banter on slippery hill.
Views stretched out, Canberra below,
Quick gusts arose, and cold winds did blow.

Jackets zipped tight, coffee gulped fast,
Back to trees quick, that chill wouldn’t last.
Chats about Japan, cities pristine,
Strategic chatter from Roy's keen routine.

Back at the cars, no coffee in sight,
Assignments due—no cappuccinos tonight.
Perfect trails, views grand, company swell,
This Gibraltar Peak hike, mates, it sure went well!

Gibraltar Peak Hike May 2025

Rain - A COLORS SHOW

Avid hiker, trail runner and nature lover.

Murrumbidgee River Roam

Darryn Mullins