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.
On The Night Train
Slim Dusty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here a patch of glassy water; there a glimpse of mystic sky?
Have you heard the still voice calling, yet so warm, and yet so cold:
"I′m the Mother-Bush that bore you Come to me when you are old"
Did you see the bush below you, sweeping darkly to the Range,
All unchanged and all unchanging, yet so very old and strange
Did you hear the bush a-calling, when your heart was young and bold:
Through the long and thunderous cutting, and the night train should be still,
Did you hear the grey bush calling from the pine-ridge overhead:
"You have seen the seas and cities, all seems done and all seems told,
I′m the Mother-Bush that loves you, come to me now you are old"
Have you seen the bush by moonlight, from the train, go running by?
Here a patch of glassy water; there a glimpse of mystic sky?
Have you heard the still voice calling, yet so warm, and yet so cold:
"I'm the Mother-Bush that bore you! Come to me now you are old"
"I'm the Mother-Bush that loves you! Come to me now you are old"
Slim Dusty's song On The Night Train invites listeners to imagine themselves on a train journey through the Australian bush. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and a longing for home, emphasizing the strong connection between humans and nature. The repeated refrain "I'm the Mother-Bush that bore you; Come to me when you are old" highlights the idea that the Australian bush is a nurturing force that provides comfort and strength, especially for older generations who have grown up in its midst.
The first stanza invites the listener to observe the beauty of the bush by moonlight, with its quiet call to return to nature in old age. The second stanza reflects on the unchanging nature of the bush, with the listener hearing the call to return when they were young and bold. The third stanza explores the contrast between the noise of the night train and the peaceful voice of the "grey bush," which beckons the listener to return to their roots. The final stanza brings the song full circle, with the repeated refrain emphasizing the bush's role as a nurturing and supportive force.
Overall, Slim Dusty's On The Night Train is a poignant reflection on the connection between humans and nature, and the comfort and strength that can be found in returning to one's roots.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you seen the bush by moonlight, from the train, go running by?
Have you witnessed the fleeting beauty of the Australian bush from the train, illuminated by the moonlight?
Here a patch of glassy water; there a glimpse of mystic sky?
Have you spotted the shining glimmer of a still body of water, alongside a view of the mysterious and enchanting sky?
Have you heard the still voice calling, yet so warm, and yet so cold:
Have you experienced the haunting yet comforting voice of the bush calling out to you, both warmly and coldly?
"I′m the Mother-Bush that bore you Come to me when you are old"
It's the voice of the Mother-Bush, reminding you of your roots and calling out to you to return in your old age.
Did you see the bush below you, sweeping darkly to the Range,
Have you noticed the bush below, ominously sweeping towards the mountain range?
All unchanged and all unchanging, yet so very old and strange
It remains unaltered and unchanging, despite its ancient and peculiar nature.
Did you hear the bush a-calling, when your heart was young and bold:
Did you hear the alluring voice of the bush calling out to you when you were young and fearless?
"I'm the Mother-bush that nursed you; Come to me when you are old"
It's the voice of the Mother-Bush again, reminding you of its sacred nurturing and asking you to return in your old age.
Through the long and thunderous cutting, and the night train should be still,
Despite the long and noisy journey and the train now being silent,
Did you hear the grey bush calling from the pine-ridge overhead:
Were you able to hear the soothing voice of the grey bush from the pine-covered hilltop?
"You have seen the seas and cities, all seems done and all seems told,
Reminding you that you have seen and experienced the world but there's nothing left to do or achieve.
I′m the Mother-Bush that loves you, come to me now you are old"
The Mother-Bush's final call for you to return to where you belong as you reach your old age.
Have you seen the bush by moonlight, from the train, go running by?
Another reminder of the bush's fleeting beauty seen while traveling by train in the moonlight.
Here a patch of glassy water; there a glimpse of mystic sky?
Reiterating the enchanting sights of mirror-like waters and the mystifying sky during the train journey.
Have you heard the still voice calling, yet so warm, and yet so cold:
Another call for you to listen to the Mother-Bush's voice that's warm yet eerie at the same time.
"I'm the Mother-Bush that bore you! Come to me now you are old"
The final message from the Mother-Bush to come back to your roots as you finally reach your old age.
Writer(s): henry lawson, slim dusty
Contributed by Natalie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@normlee6150
Love it.
@Jobergg
This was a real good song.
@samelliot35
great old song take me back to childhood on our farm in gippsland thanks slim
@NemoDakkar
Henry's last poem he wrote, written in the February of the year he died. Old Habits die hard, eh.
@geoffg6867
Henry the Alcoholic, yet to write such beautiful limerick lyrics, the words just seem to flow so sweetly, for the dreams of such people.
@warrenhennessy7684
l Will Love slim Dusty songs TILL I go Plus he's family God bless you all warren and ingrid Melbourne Australia 😎🇦🇺💙😎
@pgs907
Remember poor old Henry was born broke. whereas Banjo was born wealthy becoming a lawyer and no matter how brilliant u were unless ure folks had great wealth that wasn't possible. Henry was born profoundly deaf too..yes he died broke but his books sold for many millions in todays money...I honestly believe he was a far more brilliant man than Banjo who had he been given the opportunity in life could have been a dr or lawyer in his spare time. The man was a genius as was banjo but In my opinion lawson was the greatest of them all...Slim certainly thought so too yet dipped his lid to them all..Rest in peace Slim Henry and Banjo.
@lengeldridge
how true and thank you for comments. I too am a real fan of Henry. Banjo was good too but Henry was brillant. I think Austrlians can relate more to Henry than Banjo
@earljohnofucolta404
And the Breaker was up there with the two of them!