Their 60s hits included: "I'll Never Find Another You", "A World of Our Own" , "The Carnival is Over" (which the Seekers sung at various closing ceremonies in Australia, including Expo '88 and the Paralympics), "Someday One Day", "Walk With Me", "Morningtown Ride", and "When Will The Good Apples Fall". Their tune "Georgy Girl" in particular served as the title song of the film of the same name. These songs have had significant airplay on 'oldies' radio stations over the years.
Bruce Woodley and The Rain, The Park and Other Things's "I Am Australian", which has been recorded by The Seekers, and by singer Judith Durham with Russell Hitchcock and Mandauway Yunupingu, has become an unofficial Australian anthem.
Morningtown Ride
The Seekers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Makes a sleepy noise
Underneath the blankets
For all the girls and boys
Rockin' rollin' ridin'
Out along the bay
All bound for Morningtown
Driver at the engine
Fireman rings the bell
Sandman swings the lantern
To show that all is well
Rockin' rollin' ridin'
Out along the bay
All bound for Morningtown
Many miles away
Maybe it is raining
Where our train will ride
All the little travellers
Are warm and snug inside
Rocking, rolling, riding
Out along the bay
All bound for Morningtown
Many miles away
Somewhere there is sunshine
Somewhere there is day
Somewhere there is Morningtown
Many miles away
Rocking, rolling, riding
Out along the bay
All bound for Morningtown
Many miles away
Rocking, rolling, riding
Out along the bay
All bound for Morningtown
Many miles away
The song "Morningtown Ride" by The Seekers tells the story of a train ride towards Morningtown. The train whistle blowing creates a sleepy noise as the children lay snuggled under their blankets. The "rockin', rollin', ridin'" motion of the train carries them along the bay, closer to their destination. The driver and fireman work together to keep the train running smoothly while the sandman swings the lantern to show that all is well.
The second verse speaks of the potential of rain on the ride, but the children are safe inside and warm. The chorus repeats the "rockin', rollin', ridin'" lyrics and emphasizes the distance the train must travel before reaching Morningtown. The final verse reminds us that although it may be raining or dark where they are, there is sunshine and day waiting for them in Morningtown. The song ends with the repeated chorus, and we can imagine the train chugging along until it reaches its final destination.
Line by Line Meaning
Train whistle blowin'
The sound of the train whistle blowing
Makes a sleepy noise
Produces a soothing sound that induces sleep
Underneath the blankets
While tucked in bed
For all the girls and boys
For all the children on board
Rockin' rollin' ridin'
The train is swaying, bouncing and moving
Out along the bay
Alongside the water
All bound for Morningtown
Everyone is headed towards Morningtown
Many miles away
A long distance from here
Driver at the engine
The person operating the train from the front
Fireman rings the bell
The person manning the fire signals to the driver by ringing the bell
Sandman swings the lantern
A character, perhaps mythical, holding a glowing lamp to provide comfort and assurance
To show that all is well
To inform everyone that things are good and there's nothing to worry about
Maybe it is raining
Possibly it's pouring outside
Where our train will ride
Where our locomotive will travel
All the little travellers
All the young passengers
Are warm and snug inside
Are comfortable and secure within the train
Somewhere there is sunshine
There's a place where sunlight is unobstructed
Somewhere there is day
There's a location where it's currently daytime
Somewhere there is Morningtown
There's a destination known as Morningtown
Rocking, rolling, riding
Describes the movement of the train and its passengers
Out along the bay
Along the water's edge
All bound for Morningtown
All headed towards Morningtown
Many miles away
A considerable distance away
Rocking, rolling, riding
Continues to describe the train's motion and its occupants
Out along the bay
Continues to describe the location
All bound for Morningtown
Continues to stress the train's final destination
Many miles away
Continues to emphasize the distance that must be covered
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, GET SONGS DIRECT
Written by: M. REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaeltriba1307
rich963; thank you SO much for posting this, sir!!! 💖🌹 IMHO it is one of the most Beautiful and Uplifting Songs ever written!!! Being born in 1950, I have of course been aware of THE SEEKERS since their inception in 1962 when I was a wee lad of 11 years-old. But it was not until a month ago, that I REALLY got into them; adding them to my Spotify mix, and watching every YouTube video I could discover. 💘🎶 This song is my #1 Fave of theirs and likely will be in my next TOP 25 Songs of All-Time, All Artists!!! I next will open your link to their DVD, as I would LOVE to own that to share with my wife, family and friends! 🎧💿 THE SEEKERS have vaulted from nowhere to #6 in my All-Time Fave Bands of All-Time!!! (Right behind my #5 Bee Gees and ahead of my #7 Beatles.) I truly love and adore them and their music! God bless you for making this available to millions of true music fans from every generation alive here in 2022!!! 🙏💝🙏💝🙏 God bless THE SEEKERS!!!
@markturner4804
Beautiful beautiful beautiful
@scottswagman1472
Judith’s voice stayed so strong into her later years. What a talent.
@susanforster1360
The group I like also must be ABBA
@mickeyjudge7298
Totally agree! Who is #1-4 on your list?
@arnecarstensen5927
BEAUTIFUL
@TheChowpie
My mother sang this to me as a lullaby, over 50 years ago. I just visited her in hospice. My heart is aching. I hope where she is going is filled with music this beautiful.
@jo-annknowles1373
❤️❤️💔 sending love to you and your mom xx
@Pizzpott
My mam did as well, It was my favourite lullaby. I lost her to cancer in 2020, just a week before her 84th birthday.
@glendalangley1877
It’s been 10 months since you posted that comment. I hope your mom is still with you but know if not she is in that Promised Land Judith sang about. God bless you sweet lady.