Lonely Man

Words and Music by Amity Dry

This song is quite different from anything I have written before, and when I first wrote it I didn't think it would even make it on to the album. It wasn't until I played it to a few people and they forbid me not to include it that I realised how un-objective I am about my songs! It has a definite country feel to it, and is the most 'Australian' song I have ever written. When I wrote the line “I've seen the beauty of a red rock turning blue,' referring to Ayers Rock, I even surprised myself! I can't remember now what inspired the lyrics, it was just one of the songs that came to me, as if I already knew it (I love it when that happens!). I loved the idea of a man going out to see the country to 'find himself,' only to realise what he wanted was right back where he started from. My favourite part of the song is the end, when you think it's over and then it builds up again. I wanted it to feel like he was coming home to her, and I think the music captures that feeling beautifully.

A rainy day in April
Postcard in the mail
A picture of a sunset
Over boats in sail
There down in the corner
In writing I hold dear
Four words that made my heart sing
I wish you were here. It said…

I've seen this wide brown country
More places than I can name
I've crossed the land and back again
But I still saw your face
I've longed to get over you
God knows how I've tried
I'm just a lonely man still wandering
When I should be by your side

Things have been going slowly
Since you went away
The last words said still ringing
“Baby don't you wait”
You said you needed something
But what you couldn't name
And I thought that it was over
Til you called to say…

Chorus

I've seen the beauty of a red rock turning blue
I've meet so many people
But none of them were you
I've longed to forget us
No more will I try
This lonely man still wandering
Is gonna get back to your side