Traveston

Note: The Queensland Labor Government was planning to dam the Mary River at Traveston.
Written 2005 to the tune of Glen Campbell’s song Galveston.
First published in New Community Quarterly Vol.7 No.2 Winter 2009. p. 42.

Traveston, oh Traveston,
I still hear your river flowin
I still see your lung fish blowin
I was 16 when I left Traveston.

Traveston, oh Traveston,
I still hear your cod fish thrashing
While I watch your turtles flashing
I wipe a tear and dream of Traveston

I still see the dam wall’s slaughter
Backed up, stagnant pools of water
Congealed slime strangling nature’s daughter
On the bank were we used to run.

Traveston, oh Traveston,
I am so afraid you’re dying
Before I dry the tears you’re crying
Before I watch your black ducks flying
in the sun at Traveston, at Traveston