Over the course of his career, he collected more gold and platinum albums than any other Australian artist.
Dusty not only recorded songs written by himself and other fellow Australian performers, but also recorded classic Australian poems by Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson with new tunes, to call attention to the old 'Bush Ballads.' An example is The Man from Snowy River by Paterson.
In 1970, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to music. In 1971 he won Best Single at the Australian Country Music Awards at the Tamworth Country Music Festival (Slim's wife Joy McKean won Song of the Year as writer of the song for which he won best single). In all, he won a record 35 "Golden Guitars" over the years.
He died at home in St Ives, New South Wales on 19 September 2003 after a protracted battle with cancer, at age 76.
The Slim Dusty Story started back in the 1940s on a remote dairy farm in the hills behind Kempsey, NSW, when a 10-year-old boy dreamed of being a country music singer. His name was David Gordon Kirkpatrick... he called himself "Slim Dusty" and began to live that dream.
But even the most optimistic farm boy would never have imagined the life that was to unfold... a life that would establish Slim as the voice of the nation, the chronicler of Australian history in song.
Slim managed to hold on to those early visions of writing and singing about the bush because during his lengthy career, he always stayed in touch with his audience. And he did this in a very real and meaningful way, so much so that his fans would feel that Slim was one of their mates and his songs "just a good yarn you might hear from a mate at the pub, around a campfire in the bush or at a back yard barbie".
He described his music as "songs about real Australians... "I have to be fair dinkum with my audience. I can't see any other way of doing it," he said. "You have to believe in what you are singing about."
Slim Dusty was the first Australian to have a number one hit record and the only Australian to ever receive a 78rpm Gold Record (for A Pub With No Beer in 1958)...
He was the first Australian to have an international record hit and the first singer in the world to have his voice beamed to earth from space (astronauts Bob Crippen and John Young played Slim's recording of Waltzing Matilda from the space shuttle "Columbia" as it passed over Australia back in 1983).
During an amazingly successful career spanning over six decades, Slims' continued popularity saw him rewarded with more Gold and Platinum Awards for sales of his singles, eight-tracks, cassettes, CD's, videos and DVDs... more than any other Australian artist!
He received an unequaled 37 Golden Guitar Awards, two ARIA's (Australian Recording Industry Association awards), inductions into the ARIA Hall of Fame and the Australian Country Music Roll of Renown.
Slim was recognized for his long time services to Australian entertainment with an MBE and an Order of Australia. In 1999, Prime Minister John Howard named Slim Dusty Australia's Father of the Year and Senior Australian of the Year. There were many other awards and honors... too many to name here!
Dusty died at his home in St Ives, New South Wales on 19 September 2003 at the age of 76, after a protracted battle with cancer.
Good Old Santa Claus
Slim Dusty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Christmas morn is near
Jingle, Jingle, ring the sleigh bells
Clip, clop, the big reindeer
Then above the chimney tops
Santa comes in view
With lots of toys for girls and boys
Surprises old and new
Santa visits every home
To children far and near
He plans and schemes and learns their dreams
To bring them lots of cheer
All around the milky way
Until he's homeward bound
By Christmas day he's far away
Back in Santa Land
Sleigh bells ringing in the night
Yo-de-li-de-le-hi-dee
Santa's travelling fast tonight
Yo-de-li-de-le-hi-dee
There's been lots of prayers for teddy bears
And little dollies too
Santa he remembers all
Good old Santa Claus
Yo-di-le-de-lay
Yo-di-di-de-day
Yo-di-di-de-day-di-di-di-di
Yo-di-le-de-lay
Yo-di-di-de-day
Yo-di-di-de-day-di-di-di-di
Santa visits every home
To children far and near
He plans and schemes and learns their dreams
To bring them lots of cheer
All around the milky way
Until he's homeward bound
By Christmas day he's far away
Back in Santa Land
Sleigh bells ringing in the night
Yo-de-li-de-le-di-de-dee
Santa's travelling fast tonight
Yo-de-li-de-le-di-de-dee
There's been lots of prayers for teddy bears
And little dollies too
Santa he remembers all
Good old Santa Claus
Good old Santa Claus
The lyrics to "Good Old Santa Claus" by Slim Dusty describe the anticipation and excitement of Christmas morning from a child's perspective. The first verse sets the scene of Christmas Eve, with the sound of sleigh bells and reindeer filling the air. Then, Santa Claus arrives, delivering presents to children all around the world. The second verse emphasizes Santa's dedication to bringing joy to every child, regardless of location, learning their dreams and bringing them "surprises old and new." The chorus repeats the phrase "Good old Santa Claus," reinforcing the idea that he is a beloved figure who brings happiness and magic to the holiday season.
Beyond the general themes of Christmas spirit and joy, the song suggests that Santa Claus is a figure who has a deep understanding of children's desires and needs. He is portrayed as a hardworking and caring character who goes to great lengths to make sure no child is left out. The repetitive use of onomatopoeic sounds, such as "jingle jingle" and "yo-de-li-de-le-hi-dee," adds to the playfulness and excitement of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleepy heads are tucked in bed
Children are asleep in bed, excited for Christmas morning
Christmas morn is near
The morning of Christmas is fast approaching
Jingle, Jingle, ring the sleigh bells
The bells on Santa's sleigh are ringing
Clip, clop, the big reindeer
Santa's reindeer are making a clipping and clopping sound as they run
Then above the chimney tops
Santa is flying above the rooftops
Santa comes in view
Santa is visible to those who are awake
With lots of toys for girls and boys
Santa has many toys to give to all the children
Surprises old and new
Santa has both classic and new toys to give
Santa visits every home
Santa goes to every house
To children far and near
He visits children who are nearby and far away
He plans and schemes and learns their dreams
Santa carefully plans and figures out what each child really wants
To bring them lots of cheer
He wants to make them very happy with the toys he brings
All around the milky way
Santa travels far and wide, even beyond our galaxy
Until he's homeward bound
Once Santa is done delivering presents, he heads back to his home at the North Pole
By Christmas day he's far away
By the time Christmas arrives, Santa is back at the North Pole
Back in Santa Land
Santa returns to his home at the North Pole
Sleigh bells ringing in the night
The sound of the sleigh bells can be heard at night
Yo-de-li-de-le-hi-dee
A repetition of nonsense syllables, possibly to create an upbeat tone
Santa's travelling fast tonight
Santa moves quickly on Christmas Eve
There's been lots of prayers for teddy bears
Many children have been hoping for a teddy bear from Santa
And little dollies too
Others wished for a doll from Santa
Santa he remembers all
Santa remembers every child's wish
Good old Santa Claus
Celebration of Santa, who brings joy and happiness to children around the world
Writer(s): David Gordon Kirkpatrick
Contributed by Caden O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Darlene White
His music will never die
johnnsonchristopheratgmailcom
Hello Darlene, how are you doing today?
Lailega Neemia
This is what my son says about OL' Slim Dusty: I'm a big fan slim Dusty! And may you rest in our hearts & you may be gone forever, but never forgotten.💔💔
AviationLover
Slim dusty is the best singer by far🥰🥰
Albertus Forster
I love slim songs
Tracy A
Heard them mention Slim Dusty on Always Greener (Septic here) and love him. Reminds me of music my grandad listened to when I was younger.
johnnsonchristopheratgmailcom
Hello Tracy, how are you doing today?
Alexi Kypreos
Only if we can go back 😪👌🏽
VINCENT MILLWOOD
The good old days slim
Mason Walmsley
Bring back slim