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The Land Up Over

from Free Country by Ben Mitchell

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about

What if they (whoever ‘they’ are) got it wrong? What if Australia isn’t the land ‘down under’ but is in fact the the land ‘up over’? Wouldn’t that turn things on their heads! A fun, not too serious (but a little serious) country/bluegrass ditty about which way is up for Australia. Features Hamish Davidson from bluegrass legends, The Davidson Brothers on banjo, mandolin and fiddle.

lyrics

The Land Up Over by Ben Mitchell © 2022

I’ve always thought it strange, and maybe they got it wrong
Whoever made the map, that says where I come from
‘Cause they put us at the bottom, which, to me, doesn’t really fit
Who decided who’s on top, that’s what the question is

They say the world’s on an axis, relative to everything
But that is still subjective and won’t give them the win
‘Cause if you think about it the concept of elevation
Is just another tricky way to engender separation

We are the land up over, nothing can keep us down
And the centre of the universe doesn’t have a crown
We are the land up over, where the sun does always thunder
And water flows, where it always goes wherever is most under

I’ve been to other countries and they tell me they’re all north
Saying that is philosophically arbitrary of course
‘Cause if you flip it on its head, look at it a different way
It makes just as much sense and is just as easy to say

We are the land up over where we come out on top
Simply because we’re grateful for everything we’ve got
We are the land up over, it took a while for us to find
What’s hidden like a mountain only pure hearts can climb

Just because they taught me to believe I’m underneath
Doesn’t mean I can’t find me, another who will teach
And the wisest one I’ve found, and I’ve searched wide and far
Speaks to me through nature, the moon and the stars

We are the land up over, the bush walk beyond the park
The ocean view form the look out, the sounds after dark
We are the land up over, of droughts and flooded planes
Where we like to get to know you and treat everyone the same

We are the land up over, the icing on your cake
The coconut on your laminations, the ANZACS your mum bakes
We are the land up over, the tools stuffed in your shed
The Saturday morning sports, the dog jumping on your bed

We are the land up over, the land up over
We are the land up over
We are the land up over, the land up over
We are the land up over
Up over
Up over
Up over

credits

from Free Country, released September 21, 2022
Hamish Davidson from bluegrass legends, The Davidson Brothers on banjo, mandolin and fiddle.

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all rights reserved

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Ben Mitchell Byron Bay, Australia

Thanks for dropping by. Ben Mitchell is my name, writing songs, singing and playing is my game. Country, blues, alt-country, folk, Australiana, and indie pop. My NEW album, 'Free Country' is out NOW. Maybe it's time for a new genre 'Australiana Americana'? ... more

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