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The Yabby Catcher

by Rose Bygrave

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    These songs were born out of my years growing up in the Western
    District of Victoria. Looking through the trees in our front garden you
    could see the Grampians, or Gariwerd as it is called now. Merino
    wool and golden crops were the staples of the farms worked by my
    great, great uncle, my grandparents, my uncle and my mum and dad.
    My parents carried on for a good forty years, leaving me with the scent
    and sights, the sounds and the feel of it all.
    I’ve been writing this collection over the last three years.They are
    songs to recover memory and add to it. They carry memory back
    to that place, and go riding out into it all over again. With my sister we
    knew the country on horseback. With my parents we knew it by tractor
    or ute or by foot. We knew the sheep as lambs, and all the life on
    the place—from the crows in the hot sky to the yabbies in the dam-
    as company. We lived in a farming community, with men and women
    proud of their place, and, when necessary, prepared to fight for it
    against the elements. I am grateful for everything that time and that
    place has taught me.
    Some of the landscape is bleak and cruel and some of it is beyond
    beauty. I’ve been conjuring up the creatures, the dust, rain, light, heat,
    cold and these days, when I return, I stop the car and walk into the
    country just to experience it again. The grasslands, their summers
    blonde and winter green, were my paradise. In dreams I open gates,
    cross the paddocks on my pony Bindi, the sun burning my face. In my
    songs I can hear the old stories of the people I knew and who knew me.
    Tall and true stories the songs translate.
    Everything becomes gratitude in making an album like this.
    My mother, Gwen, and sister, Anne, are still here to receive my
    appreciation, which I extend to my loving father, Bob, who died in 2014.
    And I dedicate all these songs to them, and to our homeland
    where dad now rests.
    I sing him in his khaki work clothes, tanned and dusty as he’s
    walking towards the house after the long day, a couple of dogs
    and two daughters at his side…

    There are feathers scattered throughout the artwork.
    I was once told that if you find a feather it is a little message from
    the beyond…
    ... more
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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Ne CD of 12 Tracks written by Rose Bygrave

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Yabby Catcher via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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1.
Forever 05:57
Forever Let’s stoke up the fire send the sparks high In this cold clear sky Pass around beer put things to rest For one more year All of us doing alright And the twilight has taken our breath away Ah look at the light Have you seen a more beautiful sight Black swans sail the bay And I’m counting my blessings Tonight everything’s in its place Let the birds fly away without trace ‘Cos nothing lasts forever So we talk about change and we talk about loss As the night burns on And we’re ok with all of it we have no control of it So we just get on And someone makes jokes of the past Our memories are all here surrounding us Ah look at the light Have you seen a more beautiful sight Black swans sail the bay And I’m counting my blessings Tonight everything’s in its place Let the swans fly away without trace ‘Cos nothing lasts forever One by one they retire to their beds by the fire Till it’s just you and me I know the time passes so what would you say Were you still here I speak to the memory of you And you remain silent like you always do Ah look at the light Have you seen a more beautiful sight Black swans sail the bay And I’m counting my blessings Tonight everything’s in its place Let the birds fly free without trace ‘Cos nothing lasts forever...its all right ...it’s ok
2.
Meant To Be 06:02
Meant to Be The long drive into town seemed to take forever To the gathering at the big old country hall We were suited gowned and polished shining as the night We stepped out at the Annual New Years Ball The cars rolled in from miles round each man with a bottle Each lady bought a plate for the supper room I saw you in the middle with the other boys from town You glided over smiling as you took my arm It was there that some found kisses then went home alone It was there that some found love enough to last Some were meant to be In our own little world We were living our dreams Running on full and nothing could stop us or so we believed The band struck a chord And we took to the floor We were meant to be I was dancing with you We were spinning around I remember the sound of our shoes on the boards And the band and the crowd And the promise of love ‘cos everyone knew we were meant to be You could hear the clinking bottles the laughter at full throttle The clatter and chatter of our country town Everyone could see us as we danced out through the door Danced into the night now darling here we are It was like the night was planned for just you and me That all the town was waiting just to see If we were meant to be In our own little world We were living our dreams Running on full and nothing could stop us or so we believed The band struck a chord We took to the floor We were meant to be I was dancing with you We were spinning around I remember the sound of our shoes on the boards And the band and the crowd And the promise of love ‘cos everyone knew we were meant to be
3.
Black Crow 05:45
Black Crow Heat hazing hanging there a ghost above the road Old school skeleton sitting there amonge the ironstones Oo it’s hot Gravel grinding as I walk along the fence toward the sun Hot air smothering every breath is heating up inside my chest And there against the glare there’s a shape and there’s a wing There’s a beak and there’s a fluttering as the dry wind brings it in Black crow falls Bird friend lying there as I bend to look into his golden eye I’ve heard it said before the heat can knock a big crow from the sky If I pick him up there’s a chance that he might fly away But there he stays quite still no struggle left No struggle left today The waxy wings and blue black chest and round red eye The captive heart is beating fast I feel it all the while I place him at the waters edge and he nearly drinks it dry He hops and fluffs into the dam then bursts into the sky When I was a kid I learned a few things That I carry with me now Out on a gravel road under the blazing sun There are treasures to be found There are creatures living side by side All on equal ground All on equal ground my friend All on equal equal ground
4.
The Wake Song It’s a beautiful thing Such a beautiful thing To be caught in the light of your smile So it only seems right that we gather tonight And we sing just for you for a while To be caught in the light of your smile To be caught in the light of your smile It only seems right that we gather tonight And we sing just for you for a while I have memories of you All of us do And some of loving and care It’s like you’re still here in the cool evening air And it’s just a heartbeat back to you To be caught in the light of your smile To be caught in the light of your smile It’s like you’re there in the cool evening air And it’s just a heartbeat back to you We’ll laugh along cry along Drench you with glory and song From all of us here so long There’s an angel that flies Through the heavenly skys To carry you millions of miles When sunlight breaks through And the moonbeams do too We’ll be caught in the light of your smile To be caught in the light of your smile To be caught in the light of your smile When sunlight breaks through And the moonbeams do too We’ll be caught in the light of your smile We’ll laugh along cry along Drench you with glory and song From all of us here so long So when sunlight breaks through We’ll be thinking of you From all of us here...so long
5.
Mile in my Shoes Darlin ah darlin I got a terrible ache in my heart Living out here in the heat and the dust Well everything is feelin so hard All the time when we were young We made promises that we would stay True to our word of fidelity and trust Now that’s all blown away Why don’t you walk a mile in my shoes Walk a mile in my shoes Why don’t you walk a mile in my shoes Walk a mile in my shoes Darlin ah darlin It’s such a terrible pain And it’s a small town here with a heart like a stone And it carries such terrible shame My dogs in the yard are sleepin so hard Tellin me you’re not coming home And there’s the moon on its back and it’s full to the brim Got a feeling there’s gonna be rain Why don’t you walk a mile in my shoes Walk a mile in my shoes Why don’t you walk a mile in my shoes Walk a mile in my shoes Darlin ah darlin Thank the devil I’ve still got a car I can drive out here and I can worry and moan Even though I dont get far What should I say when the women of the town Keep givin me the pat on the arm ‘Cos they all wanna know about whose husband Keeps chasin the woman next door Why don’t you walk a mile in my blues Take a little time in my shoes My heart’s on the line life’s on the line And all of it comes back to you Why don’t you walk a mile in my shoes Walk a mile in my shoes Why don’t you walk a mile in my shoes Walk a mile in my shoes
6.
Waiting for the Wheel Have you ever woken up lying by the side of the road There all on your own with an impossibly heavy load Did you ever wonder how ever wonder why you got there Your just waiting for the wheel to turn Have you ever been lonely Lying in your bed in the dark You can hear your own breathing and count the beating of your heart Did you ever wonder how ever wonder why you got there Just waiting for the wheel Now a wise woman told me There’s a big turning wheel And those on the top might be sittin on the ground Those at the bottom Those at the bottom could be flying … Now she said I see you got an angel sittin on your chest There’s angels all around you telling me your gonna be blessed Did you ever wonder how ever wonder why you got there Waiting for the wheel Now a wise woman told me There’s a big turning wheel And those on top may be sittin on the ground And those at the bottom those at the bottom could be flying … The sun will rise and set Tide will ebb and flow Night turns into day Fortunes come and go Just like a big turning wheel Now a wise woman told me There’s a big wheel turning And those at the top might be sittin on the ground And those at the bottom those at the bottom could be flying …
7.
Long Shadows 05:13
Long Shadows A blue school shirt with sleeves torn off A riding hat with edges worn and dusty And a ring of dirt around my mouth A freckle face from too much country summer I’ve been chasing down the sun Long hot summer almost done I see those long shadows Fall behind me as I walk towards my home I turn my pony loose to roll The sweat and dust a lusty bowl of pleasure I kick my boots down by the mat Find a hook for my old hat And throw a blanket out across the saddle I’ve been chasing down the sun At last summer’s almost done I see those long shadows fall across the land Long tanned fingers from an open hand Longs long shadows fall behind me as I walk towards my home I wait to see the sun fall Fall across the land And as the time is flashing by I know from where I come Magpies sing their evening song And harvest leaves the paddocks brown and open And the mountains fall deep blue in shadow Late sun paints the gum trees pink and golden I’ve been chasing down the sun At last of summer’s almost gone I see those long shadows fall across the land Long tanned fingers like an open hand Longs long shadows fall behind me as I walk towards my home
8.
This is All 04:23
This is all You pack a bag and close the door One moment in our little war You leave me standing cold against the night Your silence cuts me to the bone But all is said and all is done Little darlin this is all there is This is all this is all Little darlin this is all there is This is all this is all Little darlin this is all there is You sail your boat far out to sea The wake breaks right over on me It’s icy waves come crashing on my floor But I will light a fire bright A beacon flame to see you right Little darlin this is all there is This is all this is all Little darlin this is all there is This is all this is all Little darlin this is all there is So take your things and look around If greener places can be found Little darling if there’s more out there If I can’t do not one thing more Than show you what a home is for Little darling this is all there is This is all this is all little darlin this is all there is All there is...
9.
Petrichor 04:43
Petrichor A far cry from the coast On the flat grass plain of summer The wind hurls dust at everything the sun has baked the ground Sheep have picked the paddocks brown And call out for their tucker Everywhere the water’s low the sky is bleached as bone Clouds to throw us shadow, Are nowhere to be seen Across the land like dancing sprites Willy-Nillys spin us feathers We all wait and watch for signs Tapping tanks and tapping glass. Sleepless nights feel dangerous The heat drops just before sun. Rises through the haze again Enough time for some shapely clouds to sneak in from the south High clouds build and by midday The heat under the blanket grey Has fans full speed and curtains drawn,door and windows Closed at dawn Then whip cracks and rumble across the sky. First drops kiss the ground and steam rises From tin roofs from hot rocks and parked cars. And the smell of dust ….The smell of dust... Perfume
10.
Swagmen 04:21
Swagmen Tonight I’ll be sleeping in the hay Like some kind of Jesus child I been walking for a million years Low ways and mountain trails I call in on the to and fro To places you would never go Make a fire and boil a can And wonder where the wind might blow To night I’ll be sleeping in the hay Like some kinda Jesus child Some run from me and some remain To talk about the wider world Cos I’ve seen a lots in those city lanes When the welcome mat gets whisked away I worked awhile when times were good Slept in sheet and ate hot food I’ve been down and I’ve been out Somethings you wouldn’t want to know Tonight I’ll be sleeping like a baby like some kinda Jesus child Sleepin in the hay Walking Walking Walking Stayin out of the human race A priest he traced a cross on me Come to the church and set you free But some things a man just can’t un-see Will always haunt his soul So I’ll set me down in this fair land And take my chances with a kindly hand Tonight I’ll wait and watch the moon Tomorrow will be here too soon Tonight I’ll be sleeping in the hay like some kinda Jesus child
11.
Real Trouble 05:08
Real Trouble Kathleen married into town She married her a lowly man She came from old money She settled into town all right even though he drank all night He was a real drinker And she ran a shop where people came No one spoke to her by name She was an outsider Real trouble Real real trouble After years she made no friends No one bothered to pretend She was so lonely There was none to talk it through What was the lonely one to do She felt her heart crumbling Her man was a wordless man He had no way to understand She was in real trouble Real trouble She was in real trouble Real trouble One day she went up to the hill Town’s water dam was nearly full It was cool clear water They found her after many days Floating in her watery grave They found the note later She said that she’d been beaten down Had no reason not to drown She’d been in real trouble She’d been in real trouble Real trouble I still wonder what happens behind all those doors…
12.
Open Heart 04:30
Open Heart She did nothing planned Something grand took her eye They stood under the sky Talking in turn to keep out the cold He said what lies ahead Who fills the gap who calls the tune She said no one has so far But one thing is for sure I know I know I’ve still got an open heart So come a bit closer now Right by me You know I don’t want a stranger in my bed no more No more… I want love One night fell into two Under the moon he took her arm They stood silent as the smoke As all the ghosts in his life came rushing by And he said You know I’ve still got an open heart So come a bit closer now Right by me You know I don’t want a stranger in my bed no more No more… I want love They did nothing planned Nothing grand And nothing new You know I’ve still got an open heart So come a bit closer now Right by me You know I don’t want a stranger in my bed no more No more… I want love Have you still got an open heart

about

Players
Isaac Barter
When I first moved back to Queenscliff, I asked a friend if he knew
any amazing fretless bass players in the area…enter stage left
of my musical life…Zac.
He is an amazing bass player and he can play anything. Like all the
great musos, he respects the song and the creative process, making
each of the decisions along the way a joy. We have played together
on and off for a few years. He was the prefect choice to co- produce,
mix and master these songs. Zac plays bass on all the tracks and
snuck in just a little bit of mandolin.

www.isaacbarter.com
Kerryn Tolhurst
I’d known of Kerryn’s musicianship, experience and importance in the
industry for many years. I first saw him playing with Country Radio
when I was 17. We finally met and became friends during a
collaboration on a Goanna CD some years back where I had the
opportunity to watch and listen and learn truck-fulls, so I loved having
him play lap steel on a couple of songs and am very grateful for his
timely input.
www.kerryntolhurst.com.au
Paul Gildea
I met Paul many years ago when we played together on a few
tours around Australia. He was a great mate then and his playing
was flawless. I’m so pleased that we reconnected when his touring
with Icehouse was on hold. Paul plays acoustic and electric guitars on
several tracks. When I suggested to him to ‘let it rip’ in the solo in
Waiting for the Wheel... he made it just past the stratosphere and back.

Danny McKenna
As it happens we live in an area that seems to suit a lot of fabulous
musicians. So when Zac suggested that we get Danny to do the drums
it was the perfect choice. I’d seen him play with the brilliant Jeff Lang
and was completely taken by his earthy grooves.
Just check out the way he used those cymbals for starters…Amazing.

www.dannymckennadrums.com
Tim Neal
Tim also lives locally. And for anyone who loves the sound of
Hammond he is the guy. You can still hear the grind of the Leslie and
the top end squeals and breath in various meaty licks. His playing is
a classic,and contemporary roots/gospel sound, which for those of
us who grew up on The Band, Dylan, and soul… is timeless and very,
very tasty.
www.timnealmusic.com
Rose
Keyboards, Vocals, Artwork .

credits

released October 2, 2018

Recorded and Produced by Rose Bygrave and Zac Barter

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about

Rose Bygrave Queenscliff, Australia

Right from her early days in Goanna, Rose has been thought of as an exceptionally fine singer songwriter and instrumentalist and over nearly thirty years of performing, recording, writing & singing she has quietly defined herself as a much loved national performer.
Rose's songs are both rich and raw, weaving intelligent lyrics, stories filled with humanity and memorably moving melodies.
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