We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

To Keep Family Alive

from Free Country by Ben Mitchell

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $3 AUD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

A classic bush ballad story song about Ben’s grandfather who, across the years of being the main breadwinner for his family in country Australia, went from ringbarking to dairy farming to taxi driving—whatever it took to provide for the family.

lyrics

To Keep Family Alive by Ben Mitchell © 2022

They all lined up to kiss him as he went on his way
They knew he would go missing on the land to work for many days
He left before his breakfast, took bread enough for one
But it was more than he needed to get the job done

He rose before the sunshine and washed up in the stream
He told the old rosellas about his fantastic dream
How he found a wild horse on a hill and lassoed it for fun
Riding without a saddle to get the job done

Nothing could ever stop him, he had purpose in his eyes
He was a man on a mission to keep family alive

He took a job ringbarking bringing down tall strong trees
With kookaburras laughing, he fell to his knees
After walking countless miles, and sweating more than some
He found a little more grit inside to get the job done

He finished feeling hungry thinking of his dear loved ones
Sitting down to dinner as he cleaned up his gun
He had a little bit of damper in a camp-fire for one
But it was all he really needed to get the job done

Nothing could ever stop him, he had purpose in his eyes
He was a man on a mission to keep family alive

He came back with a cow one day and started his own farm
Got the kids onto milking into old buckets and old jars
He didn’t see a problem and even convinced the wife
These were gonna be the very best days of their lives

They built up quite a business and sold it for a pretty song
But sang that tune pretty quick soon most of the money was gone
So he bought himself a taxi, moved to town with everyone
Spent the rest of his life driving, to get the job done

Nothing could ever stop him, he had purpose in his eyes
He was a man on a mission to keep family alive (REPEAT)

I'm off to work darling
See ya' later

credits

from Free Country, released September 21, 2022

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Ben Mitchell image

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

contact / help

Contact Ben Mitchell

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Ben Mitchell, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featured guests are the golden-voiced Baby Rose and psyche soulsters Brainstory.
listen now