Pretty Bird Tree

Up here on the slopes and plains

in the town of Narrabri,

On the banks of the Namoi River

neath the shade of The Pretty Bird Tree.

Oh my brother Darby died down there,

neath the willows oh so cool.

Now he walks with our ancestors

underneath the Kamilaroi moon.

Namoi River

you're home to me,

I'll sit with you

neath The Pretty Bird Tree.

Early on in life I took to the booze

and drank away my dreams,

I watched my life flow sadly by

like teardrops down the drain .

So I headed for the river

and became a river rat,

l'd worn out all my welcomes

no place to hang my hat.

Oh there was Cranky Franky

 and Jacky Brown

Boody Man Joe Craigie and me,

Then we'd lay next day like

 poisoned dogs

all around The Pretty Bird Tree.

When the howling wind does wail

on the Namoi late at night,

You can hear the old ones singing

as they dance in the pale moonlight.

Oh there were many more names

I can't recall but their faces I still see,

Old Whisper Smith's kind face appears

as I dream of The Pretty Bird Tree.