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.
Ringer From The Top End
Slim Dusty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And what you're doin' each day on 2 million acres you bet
Ya have to earn your pay if ya wanna take it on
There's one thing that shouldn't be forgotten
Nobody else can do the job like a ringer from the top end.
Out on the fence line swallowing dust, blood on my hands from the barb
Hoping that rogue bull won't see the hole before they get him in the yard.
But I get a funny feeling in the middle of my back
That's when nobody else moves faster than the ringer from the top end
Instrumental
I'm a ringer from the top end
Where ya gotta muster 3 thousand head in a day
Move 'em to the yards and water them at end of day
It's not the sort of job you'd take if you're looking for a soft one
But ya take a kinda pride in saying, "I'm a ringer from the top end."
Well I roll out my swag 'neath the boab tree
And then I'm out like a light dreaming about those girls in town
Next thing it's broad daylight no time to dream of what might have been
I'm in a dirty bull catcher with the mustering team
I better keep my mind on the job 'cause I'm a ringer from the top end. Hey!
And nobody does the job better than a ringer from the top end. Oh Yeah!
The lyrics of Slim Dusty's "Ringer From The Top End" describe the daily life and challenges of a ringer (a skilled worker who manages livestock) in the "top end" of Australia. Dusty reveals that in order to work in the vast regions of Australia, delivering services to over 2 million acres, it is necessary not only to know your job but also to earn your pay. However, the song highlights the importance of the job of "ringer from the top end" because it is hard for anybody else to do the job in the way that the ringer from the top end can.
The lyrics paint a picture of the dangers and harshness of the ringer's job. The singer explains the perils of working on the fence line and the risk of wild animals. Nevertheless, the ringer from the top end is undeterred and takes pride in his job with a sense of responsibility, and is always ready to face the challenges with bravery, courage, and determination. Dusty asserts that when it comes to performing the duties of a ringer from the top end, nobody else is as fast or as skillful as they are.
Overall, the lyrics of "Ringer From The Top End" by Slim Dusty praise and celebrate the vital role and expertise of ringers who work in the top end of Australia, taking the risks and enduring the harshness of the job with pride.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a ringer from the top end where ya gotta know your job
I am a skilled and experienced farmhand from the top end of the country, where you need to be knowledgeable about your work.
And what you're doin' each day on 2 million acres you bet
On this expansive land, everyday tasks are crucial and they require discipline, focus and accuracy.
Ya have to earn your pay if ya wanna take it on
Work is hard, but it's also financially rewarding especially if you are passionate about it.
There's one thing that shouldn't be forgotten
Amid all the hard work, the most important thing is to never forget where you come from and who you are.
Nobody else can do the job like a ringer from the top end.
People from around the country might be able to help with the job, but no-one does it as well as someone born and raised in the top end.
Out on the fence line swallowing dust, blood on my hands from the barb
On the verge of the farm, engulfed in dust, cuts are inflicted and wounds exposed by the fence wire.
Hoping that rogue bull won't see the hole before they get him in the yard.
At the same time as injuring myself, I also hope to not let the bull escape through the hole in the fence.
But I get a funny feeling in the middle of my back
Despite my hopes, I have a nagging suspicion that something bad's about to happen.
Sure enough he's coming like a train down the track
My suspicion is correct - the rogue bull approaches quickly.
That's when nobody else moves faster than the ringer from the top end
In this high-pressure situation, there's no better person to respond quickly than a farmer raised in the top end.
I'm a ringer from the top end
Where ya gotta muster 3 thousand head in a day
Move 'em to the yards and water them at end of day
As a person raised in the top end, I am capable of quickly overseeing the task of mustering 3000 cows a day and ensuring they reach water.
It's not the sort of job you'd take if you're looking for a soft one
But ya take a kinda pride in saying, "I'm a ringer from the top end."
This is not a cushy job, but the sense of achievement upon success of the task is immeasurable and brings joy.
Well I roll out my swag 'neath the boab tree
And then I'm out like a light dreaming about those girls in town
Exhausted from a hard day's work, I lay my bedroll under a boab tree and fall asleep, reminiscing about women I miss from the city.
Next thing it's broad daylight no time to dream of what might have been
I'm in a dirty bull catcher with the mustering team
When I awaken, it's already daylight and my day shifts from reflecting on what could have been to joining my team to catch bulls.
I better keep my mind on the job 'cause I'm a ringer from the top end. Hey!
It's important for me to stay focused and alert during the task at hand because I am a farmer raised in the top end.
And nobody does the job better than a ringer from the top end. Oh Yeah!
Ultimately, no one can match the expertise, commitment, and passion of a farmer born and bred in the top end region.
Contributed by Hudson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nathankennedy5531
Top man number one my ole mate
@appropinquo3236
Australian country music is the greatest thing to have ever graced my ears
@carleenmorris1864
Good oldies stand the test of time. True stories for sure!
@Ma11x43
Us black people love slim
@glaze_tpf9791
Twenty-four kids, 9 adults and 15 dogs
All squeezed in the front seat with the wireless turned full on
Listenin' to Slim Dusty now they're
Livin' next door to Alan
@garrysmith2055
Man from snowy *river.
KNOW
..
@jordonbarlow4846
Black fallas Ringo's from the Top end.
@williambeverleykemp9957
yes sadly theres none in this video huh? none of these fellas look like they know how to ride
@liviodave7713
Ringer from the top end --- Top of his Game.....
@williambeverleykemp9957
Great song always loved it but a pity there are none of the true 'ringers' in the film clip,, where are the aboriginal fellas?