Monday, March 9, 2009

I've been everywhere man...

~

The song 'I've been everywhere Man' has been recorded by a great many artists in many different countries. As well as the original Australian version there is an American version which made #1 on the country music charts. It has been sung in America by, amongst others, Hank Snow and Johnny Cash. There is a British version and a New Zealand version - sung by John Hore. In addition there are many parodies. It has been brought to our attention again recently in Australia due to being featured in a Telstra (phone company) advertising campaign to promote their broadband service.

If you've forgotten all those place names it goes like this:


I’ve Been Everywhere
written by Geoff Mack© 1959, as sung by Lucky Starr (1962)


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.)


* Maroochydore: Is a 30 minute drive from where I live.





This is the image from the Telstra advert I mentioned and I've included it because of the Big Banana in the background. Refer to my posting 'From the Kitsch to the Sublime".
~

11 comments:

  1. My uncle used to play drums with Lucky Starr and Col Joy. :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Natalie, its rainy and windy here with the cyclone inching its way down the coast.

    Well fancy that! You must have sung this song many times as a child then?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I thought they were incredibly daggy!

    Didn't know about the cyclone,sorry Delwyn. I don't watch the news. Is it bad?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ha ha ha I think this is great!..i only know the song from the Telstra ad.

    Thanks again for the info Delwyn!
    And this is the kind of song that gets stuck inside your head,i was poring my coffee and sung:I have been every where man!
    From where did you get it inside your head and landed on your blog ?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mona: I made the card ages ago and came across it whilst clearing up my study, and it seemed quite topical with the ad running now.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I wonder if anyone has ever done one for Internet Spaces? Actually, John Hulme has one similar on utube.

    ReplyDelete
  7. B&B ~ now there's an idea - Blog names ... I've Blogged everywhere man... I've been to...

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've heard the Australian version and always loved it - mostly for the "funny-sounding, tongue-twister" names. Somehow, I always think each time I hear it there will be a stumble somewhere! (of course, I probably woudn't know, they could be making up a name!!)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Violet - the Australian aboriginal words just roll off the tongue. My DIL comes from Muwoolimbimby! I think I need to check that spelling it doesn't look right...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love your post; may even re-blog it!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.