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.
I Must Have Good Terbaccy When I Smoke
Slim Dusty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh his beard was long his hair was silver grey
His dress was out of style
But he wore a friendly smile
And here is what the old man had to say
You may think me most unusual my boy
When I tell you straight that I am stoney broke
And I'll drink all kinds of beer
But I must have good terbaccy when I smoke
Now I tell you this here old tobaccy tin
And the paint is gone the sides are dented in
And it's opened many a bottle
In it's wild and chequered life
And to me it has always been a friend
I one time had wife and everything
But a strange came and soon we were apart
So I left my friends and home
And I hit the road to roam
But nicotine has mended my old heart
Now when finally they reach the golden gate
They say Saint Peter he's a decent bloke
If I'm taken with the blessed
This will be my last request
Oh I liked to have good baccy when I smoke
Yes I was talking to that swaggy yesterday
And what he told me I'll remember clear
Tramping out there with the breeze
Happy as the birds and bees
And I reckon that he has the right idea
The song "I Must Have Good Terbaccy When I Smoke" by Slim Dusty is about an old swagman who is down on his luck but insists on having good tobacco when he smokes. The narrative is centered around a conversation the singer had with the swagman who proudly professes his preference for good tobacco despite being dirt poor. The old man talks about his life on the road, his former wife, and how smoking has helped mend his heart.
The song has an underlying message about being content with simple pleasures in life. The swagman's insistence on having good tobacco when he smokes is not a luxury he can always afford but it is something he cherishes and takes comfort in. The song highlights how one can find peace in the mundane and small pleasures in life, a message that is communicated with a nostalgic and cheerful tone.
Overall, Slim Dusty's "I Must Have Good Terbaccy When I Smoke" is a story about a proud and humble man who finds joy in life's simple pleasures despite facing hardships.
Line by Line Meaning
I was talking to a swaggy yesterday
I had a conversation with a wanderer yesterday
Oh his beard was long his hair was silver grey
His facial hair was extended and his scalp hair had lost its pigment
His dress was out of style
His attire was not current
But he wore a friendly smile
However, he had a genial expression on his face
And here is what the old man had to say
And this is what the elderly gentleman told me
You may think me most unusual my boy
You might consider me strange, young man
When I tell you straight that I am stoney broke
When I candidly reveal that I'm completely without funds
I tramp from year to year
I wander around from one year to the next
And I'll drink all kinds of beer
And I'll consume multiple varieties of beer
But I must have good terbaccy when I smoke
But high-quality tobacco must accompany my smoking
Now I tell you this here old tobaccy tin
Now I disclose to you the story of this aged tobacco container
And the paint is gone the sides are dented in
Its color has vanished and its panels are indented
And it's opened many a bottle
And it has uncorked many liquor bottles
In it's wild and chequered life
During its tumultuous and various existence
And to me it has always been a friend
To me, it has perpetually been an accomplice
I one time had wife and everything
I once had a spouse and all the accoutrements of life
But a strange came and soon we were apart
But a stranger entered our relationship and, shortly thereafter, we separated
So I left my friends and home
Therefore, I abandoned my companions and dwelling
And I hit the road to roam
And I began journeying through various locales
But nicotine has mended my old heart
But the chemical compound nicotine has repaired my cardiac organ
Now when finally they reach the golden gate
At last, when they traverse the paradise's entrance
They say Saint Peter he's a decent bloke
People say that Saint Peter is an affable fellow
If I'm taken with the blessed
If I'm accepted by the favored
This will be my last request
This will be my dying appeal
Oh I liked to have good baccy when I smoke
Oh, I desire to possess fine tobacco when I inhale its fumes
Yes I was talking to that swaggy yesterday
Indeed, I was speaking with that hobo the previous day
And what he told me I'll remember clear
And I will recollect his words lucidly
Tramping out there with the breeze
Hiking with the wind
Happy as the birds and bees
Ecstatic like the avians and insects
And I reckon that he has the right idea
And I surmise that he possesses the correct notion
Contributed by Kylie P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@1992Maton
First song I learned on guitar. My favourite old Slim song. No use for money, you strive and struggle for nothing. May as well sit and smoke and watch the world go round. What brilliant lines.
@brettwalker5950
1992Maton where did you learn the chords?
@mattcornish17hol56
I have just learned to play it. The yodeling isn't easy. This song is a ripper.
@lululangford
My Dad entertained many friends over the years doing this one - the first song he learned when we came to Australia in 1966. I am so glad to read people are still learning this one. If you love it please listen to Kevin Shegog's The Wayward Rambler. Another ripper.
@pgs6142
What a classic.
@wendydevine340
Great singer he is missed
@MrHenry-2001
I'm just now trying this song out and I love it so far
@pgs6142
Beautiful Slim. I'm sure St Peter had your pass at the ready when u reached the golden gates. Thanks for the countless wonderful memories. Rest In peace
@77stouty
this song bring back so many memories of my pop may he and slim both rip
@mattlugg6742
I live by this song.