In The Valley

My grandfather went down with the Montevideo Rising son took him floating to his rest And his wife fled south to Sydney seeking out safe harbor A North Shore matron she became, with some paying guests My father went down with the curse of big cities Traffic tolls and deadlines took him to his peace Now Bob Dyer glued us to our seats, and lawns were always Victor neat Whilst Menzies fawned at royal feet I sure you remember, do you remember? In the valley I walk, in the valley I walk, in the valley I walk, who will take me there? In the valley I walk, cold comfort I can hear you talk, in the valley I walk, who will take me there? When my mother went down, it was a stiff arm from Hades Life surprises and tears you like the Southerly She always welcomed the strange, always welcomed the stranger I don see too many around like this, oh no, not many like this Chorus (ends "I took some comfort there") In the valley I walk, oh rough justice I hear you talk In the valley I walk to meet my watershed, to meet my watershed I meet my watershed I hope virtue brings its own reward and I hope the pen is mightier than any sword I hope the kids will take it slow, I hope my country claims its own, yes I do In the valley I walk, I cried, yes I cried, I was down then I crawled Mercy arms all around me when I was down there In the valley I walk, do you read me, they can hear me In the valley