The band formed in 1985 and played their first shows in Sydney in 1986. Original members were Alistair Hulett (acoustic guitar and vocals), Dave Williams (bass), Steve Thompson (drums), Bob (Rab) Mannell (electric guitar and bouzouki) and Hunter Owens (accordion/mandolin and vocals).
Owens was later replaced by Steve (Steph) Miller on the same instruments and on vocals. Rod Gilchrist replaced Steve Thompson on drums after the recording of their first album.
The band was nominated for two ARIA Music Awards during their career.
Moving On
Roaring Jack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a town near Broken Hill
Loved the feel of the sun on his back
And the red, red dust that stretched to the outback
End of the day, picking up pay
News breaks, mine closed down
They’re taking his job away
And he’d felt the wind on the Mundi plain
There’s no time left for looking back
And it looks like time for moving on
Jimmy despondent, Jimmy depressed
Takes his trouble to the bar
When he’s drinking out in Silverton
He can never take too much, never drive too far
Dark night, truck headlights
‘Roo buckles in fright, dead on the side
He’s been through this before
He fills his days shooting thingyatoos
Out at the reservoir
At fifty-two there’s not much to do
When you’re crippled by your age and they don’t want to know you
Back in town he can take the frowns
He can take the knocks but he can’t stand the fact
That he’s still got two strong hands
Jimmy was a good man, worked for a quid
In a town near Broken Hill
And the wind blows cruel down Argent Street
And his footsteps fall like the pounding of a heart beat
Gotta make a run, gotta get away
Gotta leave this town
It’s gonna break my soul some day
And he’s felt the wind on the Mundi plain
And he’s watched the wedge tail fly
There’s no time left for looking back
And this town’s no place to die
The song "Moving On" tells the story of Jimmy, a hardworking man who spent his entire life in a small town near Broken Hill. He loved the feel of the sun on his back and the vast red dust that stretched to the outback. But, one day, when Jimmy comes to know that the mine is closed down, his job is taken away. He feels the wind on the Mundi plain like a banshee in the storm, and he knows there is no time left for looking back; it's time to move on. In his desperation, Jimmy seeks solace in the bar and drinks to forget his troubles. But one dark night, driving drunk, he hits a kangaroo dead on the side of the road. Although it was not the first time he has been through this before, he's reminded that he cannot run away from his problems.
As he continues to get older, crippled by his age, and realizing that the town does not want him anymore, Jimmy fills his days shooting thingyatoos at the reservoir. He can take the frowns and the knocks, but he cannot stand the fact that he is still capable of working and yet is unwanted. The lyrics encapsulate Jimmy's growing feeling of desolation and frustration as he yearns to escape the small town that suffocates him. Despite his misfortunes, Jimmy clings onto the memories of flying wedge-tailed eagles and the wind on Mundi plain, and he knows that it's time for a new start, time to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Jimmy was a good man, worked all his life
Jimmy is a hardworking man
In a town near Broken Hill
Jimmy was living in a town near Broken Hill
Loved the feel of the sun on his back
Jimmy enjoyed spending time outdoors
And the red, red dust that stretched to the outback
Jimmy enjoyed the open land, and the dust symbolizes his connection to the land
End of the day, picking up pay
Jimmy worked hard and earned a living
News breaks, mine closed down
The mine where Jimmy worked closed down unexpectedly
They’re taking his job away
Jimmy’s job was taken away from him as a result of the mine closing
And he’d felt the wind on the Mundi plain
Jimmy enjoyed being outdoors and connecting with the land
Like a banshee in the storm
Jimmy felt invigorated and alive
There’s no time left for looking back
Jimmy can’t dwell on the past and needs to move forward
And it looks like time for moving on
Jimmy needs to start a new chapter in his life and leave the town behind
Jimmy despondent, Jimmy depressed
Jimmy is feeling down and discouraged
Takes his trouble to the bar
Jimmy turns to alcohol in order to forget his problems
When he’s drinking out in Silverton
Jimmy drinks when he is in Silverton
He can never take too much, never drive too far
Jimmy is responsible when drinking, he never drinks to excess and doesn’t drive under the influence
Dark night, truck headlights
It is dark outside and a truck is approaching
‘Roo buckles in fright, dead on the side
A kangaroo jumps out in front of the truck and is killed
He’s been through this before
Jimmy has experienced tragedies and loss before
He fills his days shooting thingyatoos
Jimmy spends his time shooting things out at the reservoir
Out at the reservoir
Jimmy goes to the reservoir to shoot things
At fifty-two there’s not much to do
Jimmy is reaching an age where there is not much work or activities for him to do
When you’re crippled by your age and they don’t want to know you
Jimmy feels isolated and unwanted in society because of his age
Back in town he can take the frowns
Jimmy can handle the negativity from people in town
He can take the knocks but he can’t stand the fact
Jimmy doesn’t mind being criticized or put down, but he is hurt by his own situation
That he’s still got two strong hands
Jimmy is still physically capable of doing work and contributing to society, but others won’t give him the chance
Jimmy was a good man, worked for a quid
Jimmy was a man of integrity and was willing to work hard for his pay
And the wind blows cruel down Argent Street
The wind is symbolic of how life can be harsh and unforgiving on Argent Street where Jimmy lived
And his footsteps fall like the pounding of a heart beat
Jimmy is walking with purpose and determination, despite the hardships he has endured
Gotta make a run, gotta get away
Jimmy needs to leave town to start a new life
Gotta leave this town
Jimmy knows that he can’t stay in this town if he wants to progress with his life
It’s gonna break my soul some day
If Jimmy stays in the town, he knows that it will take a toll on his wellbeing
And he’s felt the wind on the Mundi plain
Jimmy has been in touch with his connection to the land where the wind blows
And he’s watched the wedge tail fly
Jimmy has observed an eagle in flight, which is symbolic of freedom and independence
There’s no time left for looking back
Jimmy can’t focus on the past, he needs to move on if he wants to progress
And this town’s no place to die
Jimmy knows that if he stays in this town, he will not be happy, and life will pass him by.
Contributed by Parker D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mason Sykes
I live in Portland, OR, and this might as well be our fucking anthem