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.
Somewhere Up in Queensland
Slim Dusty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He went right out of business, there were no horses to shoe
He packed his few belongings when the leaves began to fall
He was going up to Queensland just to any place at all
He had a horse and sulky and an old blue heeler dog
They headed ever northward with a steady old jig jog
They camped beside the river near the willows green and tall
As they headed up to Queensland just to any place at all
He joined the friendly bush birds in their pleasant mountain song
He overtook a stranger who had his swag and all
And he was tramping up to Queensland just to any place at all
Now Billy said to the stranger would you like to take a ride
You can hop up in the sulky if it won′t hurt your pride
The stranger thanked him kindly and climbed into a seat
Where they talked about their livelihood and the fellers that you meet
Instrumental
The stranger said I'm Jimmy and I was a shearer′s mate
Oh but the big contractors they say I'm out of date
I kind of got discouraged so I rolled my swag and all
And I'm heading up to Queensland just to any place at all
The two became good cobbers as the weeks they rolled around
They went over the border and through the Darling Downs
They camped beside the river of a town I can′t recall
But it was somewhere up in Queensland at any place at all
Next morning they were waken with horses all around
They saw the same old hitching rails in this old outback town
Then Billy said to Jimmy in his old familiar drawl
I think we′ll settle down here, good as any place at all
They soon rented a stable and a shed without a floor
Jimmy fixed a sign up and he nailed it on the door
It read Blacksmith and shoeing done, no job to big or small
And it was somewhere up in Queensland at any place at all
Instrumental
They had a boomin' business and it stayed that way for years
Billy did the shoeing while Jimmy dressed the shears
And if you chance to meet them this story they′ll recall
When they headed up to Queensland just to any place at all
When they headed up to Queensland just to any place at all
When they headed up to Queensland just to any place at all
The lyrics of Slim Dusty's song "Somewhere Up in Queensland" tell the story of two men, Billy and Jimmy, who embark on a journey to Queensland with no particular destination in mind. Billy, a blacksmith, had lost his business due to the decrease in demand for horseshoes. Feeling a sense of restlessness, he decides to travel north with his horse, sulky, and trusty blue heeler dog.
As they make their way up to Queensland, they experience the beauty of the Australian bush and encounter fellow travelers along the way. Billy meets Jimmy, a former shearer's mate, who had grown disheartened by the changing ways of the industry. They strike up a conversation and become friends as they continue their journey together.
The song captures the sense of camaraderie and adventure that comes with traveling aimlessly, not knowing exactly where you're going but embracing the journey regardless. It highlights the simplicity of life on the road and the beauty of the Australian landscape. Eventually, Billy and Jimmy find a town that feels like home, and they decide to settle down there, opening a blacksmith and shoeing business.
The lyrics reflect a sense of contentment and fulfillment that comes from following your instincts and finding a place where you belong, even if it was determined by chance rather than a deliberate plan. "Somewhere Up in Queensland" celebrates the spirit of exploration and the possibility of finding happiness in unexpected places.
Line by Line Meaning
Now Billy was a blacksmith in the year of forty two
Billy worked as a blacksmith in the year 1942
He went right out of business, there were no horses to shoe
He went out of business because there was a scarcity of horses needing shoeing
He packed his few belongings when the leaves began to fall
He packed his limited possessions during the autumn season
He was going up to Queensland just to any place at all
He decided to travel to Queensland without a specific destination in mind
He had a horse and sulky and an old blue heeler dog
He had a horse-drawn vehicle and a loyal blue heeler dog
They headed ever northward with a steady old jig jog
They traveled steadily northwards with a rhythmic and consistent pace
They camped beside the river near the willows green and tall
They set up their camp next to a river where there were tall, green willow trees
As they headed up to Queensland just to any place at all
While making their way to Queensland without a specific destination in mind
One day as they were driving the hours dragged along
During their journey, the hours passed slowly
He joined the friendly bush birds in their pleasant mountain song
He joined the melodious song of the friendly birds in the bushy mountains
He overtook a stranger who had his swag and all
He passed by a stranger who carried his belongings and a backpack
And he was tramping up to Queensland just to any place at all
The stranger was walking towards Queensland without a specific destination
Now Billy said to the stranger would you like to take a ride
Billy offered the stranger a ride in his vehicle
You can hop up in the sulky if it won't hurt your pride
Billy assured the stranger that taking a ride won't be a blow to his pride
The stranger thanked him kindly and climbed into a seat
The stranger expressed gratitude and took a seat in the vehicle
Where they talked about their livelihood and the fellers that you meet
They engaged in conversation about their occupations and the people they come across
The stranger said I'm Jimmy and I was a shearer's mate
The stranger introduced himself as Jimmy and stated that he used to assist shearers
Oh but the big contractors they say I'm out of date
However, the major employers claim that Jimmy's skills are outdated
I kind of got discouraged so I rolled my swag and all
Feeling disheartened, Jimmy packed his belongings and decided to wander
And I'm heading up to Queensland just to any place at all
He explained that he was heading to Queensland without any specific destination
The two became good cobbers as the weeks they rolled around
As the weeks passed, their friendship grew stronger
They went over the border and through the Darling Downs
They crossed the border and traveled through the Darling Downs region
They camped beside the river of a town I can't recall
They set up their camp next to a river in a town that they couldn't remember
But it was somewhere up in Queensland at any place at all
Although they couldn't specify the town, it was somewhere in Queensland
Next morning they were waken with horses all around
The following morning, they were awakened by the presence of horses nearby
They saw the same old hitching rails in this old outback town
They noticed familiar hitching rails in this aged outback town
Then Billy said to Jimmy in his old familiar drawl
Billy, in his familiar accent, spoke to Jimmy
I think we'll settle down here, good as any place at all
Billy suggested that they should establish themselves in this town, as good as any other place
They soon rented a stable and a shed without a floor
They quickly rented a stable and a floorless shed
Jimmy fixed a sign up and he nailed it on the door
Jimmy prepared a sign and securely attached it to the door
It read Blacksmith and shoeing done, no job too big or small
The sign indicated that they offered blacksmithing and horseshoeing services, no matter the scale
And it was somewhere up in Queensland at any place at all
Their establishment was located somewhere in Queensland without specifying the exact place
They had a boomin' business and it stayed that way for years
Their business thrived and continued to prosper for many years
Billy did the shoeing while Jimmy dressed the shears
Billy focused on horseshoeing while Jimmy specialized in sharpening shears
And if you chance to meet them this story they'll recall
If you happen to encounter them, they will gladly recount this story
When they headed up to Queensland just to any place at all
When they embarked on their journey to Queensland without a specific destination
When they headed up to Queensland just to any place at all
When they made their way to Queensland without a particular location in mind
When they headed up to Queensland just to any place at all
When they set off towards Queensland without a definite destination
Writer(s): Edwin Haberfield
Contributed by Zachary D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Leatherwork Time
In my opinion, this is one of Slim Dusty's best -- my favorite. The style of this song is very similar to songs by Johnny Horton ... another favorite of mine.
Shannon Brown
Agreed
tanahkita
A fan of Slim Dusty but first heard this song on radio today. A great song with the inspiration coming unmistakably from "North To Alaska". I like this song better even though "North To Alaska" was a favourite of mine since it first came out.
Dallas Nyberg
A top Aussie ballad, written by Shorty Ranger.
Kathy Wright
Just discovered Slim,like his voice,especially on waltzing matilda
Devon White
yeehaa play it again 265 times and yeehaa to leatherwork too someone who knows real country music and i bet knows jim reeves and hank williams when they come to town