BACK TO NEW ENGLAND
© Shaza Leigh

Lyrics Written by: Shaza Leigh
Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Shaza Leigh
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: Shaza Leigh - Shaza Leigh (1998)


He headed out the night he left by train
Needing a change
From the life that he’d outgrown
Didn’t know what he was searching for
Simply wanting more
Than his life had shown
He woke early to discover
He needed what he left behind
Lucky to realise in time

Now the highway is taking him back to New England
Back to the mountains where he belongs
Yes the highway is taking him back to New England
Back where he won’t be alone
Back to his New England home

Turning his back on a farmers life
He thought it would be nice
In the tropics come spring
Then across the great divide
And through The Isa he thumbed a ride
Trying his hand at anything
Spending winters in the north
And summers south of course
Maybe he lost more than he gained

Now the highway is taking him back to New England
Back to the mountains where he belongs
Yes the highway is taking him back to New England
Back where he won’t be alone
Back to his New England home

He woke early to discover
He needed what he left behind
Lucky to realise in time

BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE
© Shaza Leigh   

Lyrics Written by: Shaza Leigh
Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Shaza Leigh
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: Reflections On Love - Shaza Leigh (1992)


Depends how the wind blows
That’s how our love goes

Neither of us understand what’s happening anymore
It’s like we’re on a coaster ride
Up and down rocking side to side
Now we’re older do we end it’s not like it was before

It’s not as though our love has died
so I search for reasons why
We can’t live together but can’t stand to be apart
For there are times when we make love
When all that I am thinking of
Is build a home have a family and make a brand new start

There’s a wall between us it’s standing ten feet tall
And no one can see through us
For we’ve both been this way before
Been this way before

So one day we may decide
To jump from this coaster ride
settle down and make a stand or go our separate ways
Depends how the wind blows
That’s how our love goes
But for now we’ll pass our time day by day

There’s a wall between us it’s standing ten feet tall
And no one can see through us
For we’ve both been this way before
Been this way before

Been this way before
We’ve been this way before

BEFORE I GO
© Shaza Leigh   

Lyrics Written by: Shaza Leigh
Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Shaza Leigh
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: Out Of The Shadow - Shaza Leigh (1995)


Have you seen the sunshine beaming across our sunburnt land

Or Uluru's majestic glory out in the desert sand

Sailboats skimming across the water as yet so crystal clear

I hope they'll all be here tomorrow as in our yesteryear

Will our children see what we've seen

will they know what we have known

I'd like to know for sure before I go

Before I go

Rivers running through our pastures

A forest thick with trees

Nature living in all splendour with us in harmony

The world as you and I remember is what I'd like to leave

A place of beauty everlasting a spirit wild and free

Will our children see what we've seen

Will they know what we have known

I'd like to know for sure before I go

Will our children see what we've seen

Will they know what we have known

I'd like to know for sure before I go

Before I go

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
© Shaza Leigh & Kat  

Lyrics Written by: Shaza Leigh & Kat
Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Shaza Leigh
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: Shaza Leigh

Within these walls where shadows grow
The tears that fall no one will know
Whispers echo in the night
Until the morning light
When frozen tears don’t show

He wore his anger like a crown
With every word he tore her down
‘Til the scars she couldn’t hide
From pain down deep inside
In silence she would drown

Behind closed doors
no one could see her
No one could help free her
Or hear that silent plea
Behind closed doors
The ghosts that linger
Quietly point the finger
And just won’t let it be
Now she’s free
She’s free

With each dawn came a new day
Then she’d blame it all away
Justify the last assault
As if it was her fault
I still hear her say

Behind closed doors
no one could see her
No one could help free her
Or hear that silent plea
Behind closed doors
The ghosts that linger
Quietly point the finger
And just won’t let it be
Now she’s free
She’s free

Behind closed doors
no one could see her
No one could help free her
Or hear that silent plea
Now she’s free
She’s free

BE THE BEST THAT YOU CAN BE
© Shaza Leigh & Leanne King 

Lyrics Written by: Leanne King
Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Shaza Leigh
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: My Way Of Life - Shaza Leigh (2003)


For a woman it’s not easy to be working on the land
For every job you’ll do they’ll say is done better by a man
But I do the best that I can and that’s much more than some
I can build a fence and chop a tree I can ride and shoot a gun

Now my grandad was a good man and he never told a lie
He said if you’re gonna make it you gotta reach up for the sky
And all those fellas round you they will try to break your heart
Just keep your eyes wide open be strong and twice as smart

And he taught me how to walk and talk and he taught me how to ride
And he taught me how to stand up straight and hold my head up high
He said ‘life is what you make it nothing comes for free’
He said ‘just be the best that you can be’

I don’t mind if my hands get dirty and the sweat runs down my face
I’ve got more time for leather than I’ve ever had for lace
For softness is for city girls and I’ve no time for that
I prefer to wear my jeans and shirt my working boots and hat

And though life out here’s a struggle it’s the price you have to pay
For the sun that shine’s each morning and the peace you’ll feel each day
And out here in these mountains where the wild winds blowing free
I know no matter what they say this is where I want to be

And he taught me how to walk and talk and he taught me how to ride
And he taught me how to stand up straight and hold my head up high
He said ‘life is what you make it nothing comes for free’
He said ‘just be the best that you can be’

Yes he taught me how to walk and talk and he taught me how to ride
And he taught me how to stand up straight and hold my head up high
He said ‘life is what you make it nothing comes for free’
He said ‘just be the best that you can be’

Just be the best that you can be

BILO'S GOING STRONG
© Shaza Leigh

Lyrics Written by: Shaza Leigh
Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Ashley Cook
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: Ashley Cook


Biloela was gazetted, back in '24
On the rannes Monto Railway line
The schools soon opened, cockatoo was born
On Gangula, long before the mine

And a hundred years have come and gone
Community has grown
Dreams were made and families stayed
As Cockatoo lives on
Yes Bilo’s going strong

Coal was discovered on Callide Creek
The open cut and power station came
And from cattle to cotton, sorghum & wheat
A diverse range of industries reign 

And a hundred years have come and gone
Community has grown
Dreams were made and families stayed
As Cockatoo lives on
Yes Bilo’s going strong

Where farmers and miners, meat workers and all
Work and play 'neath the Qld Sun
The shire of opportunity lives up to its name
And all walks of life live as one

Now a hundred years have come and gone
Community has grown
Dreams were made and families stayed
As Cockatoo lives on
Yes Bilo’s going strong

With a Century now gone
Yes, Bilo’s going strong

BLOOD ON THE COAL
© Shaza Leigh & Ashley Cook

Lyrics Written by: Shaza Leigh & Ashley Cook
Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Ashley Cook
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: Ashley Cook


Our boys enter the mines poised and eager for action

An honest days work for fair day the attraction 

All too soon their hardship was a stark reality 

Sporadic work and low wages took their toll on family

Then the blood on the coal soon spilled for all to see

Many dreams now lay buried in the ruins down below

And others have little left but their suffering to show

Each disaster claiming loved ones of those left behind

Yet again each day they face the perils of the mine

‘Til the blood the coal would close another find

And there’s blood on the coal our power comes at a cost

All our hearts are saddened for those who were lost

Now as company greed breaks communities down 

Just remember the blood the coal under ground

Yes there’s blood on the coal concealed underground

It’s important that the companies and the unions retain balance 

There’s far too much to lose with mine safety left to chance

We all understand productivity is needed 

But mine safety and the rights of good men must be heeded

Or more bloody on the coal is destined to be shed

And there’s blood on the coal our power comes at a cost

All our hearts are saddened for those who were lost

Now as company greed breaks communities down 

Just remember the blood the coal under ground

Yes there’s blood on the coal concealed underground

BORN TO BE FREE
© Shaza Leigh & Billy Wye

Lyrics Written by: Shaza Leigh & Billy Wye
Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Shaza Leigh
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: Homeland - Shaza Leigh (2016)

'Neath the great dome of heaven we're bred to be grand

Born To Be Free in our native land

To those who have honour the moment is due

To safeguard the standards we deem to be true

Let it be said we were born to be free

may it be known throughout our history

terror and torment never shall be

God grant us peace we were born to be free

May the challenges hurled at the land of our birth

By forces of evil polluting the Earth

See our Sons and Daughters answer the call

And value the freedom revered by us all

Let it be said we were born to be free

may it be known throughout our history

terror and torment never shall be

God grant us peace we were born to be free

We must fight with a spirit that never grows old

Have pride in ourselves, stand valiant and bold

Honour our heritage from Country and Kin

God grant us the will and courage to win

Let it be said we were born to be free

may it be known throughout our history

terror and torment never shall be

God grant us peace we were born to be free
God grant us peace we were born to be free

BOX OF KISSES
© Shaza Leigh & Roy Sinnamon
   

Lyrics Written by: Shaza Leigh & Roy Sinnamon
Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Shaza Leigh
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: Seasons - Shaza Leigh

A small box wrapped in its paper of gold
Decorated by hands that were just four years old
The piece of pink ribbon tied round it with care
Looked like the ribbon I had seen in her hair

On that beautiful gift ‘neath that old Christmas Tree
I helped her write ‘Daddy this one’s from me’
I thought that Christmas was made for the blessed

When he took that gift from its place with the rest

I still the wonder that can grow in a man
When he faces a love that he can’t understand
And I see the sadness and hurt in his eyes
When he opened that box and found nothing inside

In anger he told her it’s wrong to deceive
For a box full of nothing was all he could see
Her tears fell like raindrops ‘But Daddy’ she cried
‘The box is not empty I blew kisses inside’

The tear stains still showing where both of them cried
On that box old and faded where make believe hides
Our hearts keep the memories of a heart that we’d known
But our tears pay the interest to God for the loan

I know the words read ‘safe in God’s hands’
I know somebody who can’t understand
And it’s my turn for hurting it’s my turn to cry
When he takes a kiss from that box by his side

Yes it’s my turn for hurting it’s my turn to cry
When he takes a kiss from that box by his side

BOY IN THE NEUTRAL CORNER
© Shaza Leigh & K&M Dixon   

Lyrics Written by: K&M Dixon
Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Shaza Leigh
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: Walking Through My Mind - Shaza Leigh (1990)
Album: The Songwriter - Shaza Leigh (2004)

There he is again this this evening in the corner of the bar

Of a run-down pub he gives the girl a smile

Looks around the other drinkers in his vacant kind of way

And tells himself he'll only stay a while

With a sorry pile of silver and a crumpled note

And a shirt that needed washing yesterday

He sits drinking in his corner on the stool they keep for him

Never seeing his tomorrow slip away

But only yesterday I knew him like so many thousands did

Only yesterday the best boy in the game

Making money for promoters and a hundred hangers on

Soon forgetters who forgot the fighters name

In a sport they claim is manly he was king a year or two

Until some up and coming youngster took his throne

Now the two bit heroes snigger as he drinks away tomorrows

And they leave him in his corner all alone

For all the regulars avoid him in a nice way naturally

And all the new ones just regard him as a joke

Never knowing he was someone with a pair of golden gloves

Only seeing now a drunken foolish bloke

But only yesterday I knew him like so many thousands did

Only yesterday the best boy in the game

Making money for promoters and a hundred hangers on

Soon forgetters who forgot the fighters name

Yes he's there again this evening in his corner of the bar

Of this run down pub here on the edge of town

Looking through the other drinkers in his vacant kind of way

Once a hero now a no-one going down

BROKE
© Shaza Leigh & K&M Dixon   

Lyrics Written by: K&M Dixon
Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Brian Young
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: Brian Young
Album: Ashley Cook

Some torn silken colours a ribbon or two
and some clippings which mention his name
Some much travelled trophies a few saddle clothes
and a photo he never got framed
He stares at the photo from over his beer
as he sits swapping yarns here tonight
It’s a far cry he mentions from where he was then
a top jockey whose future looked bright

A top hatted owner stands holding a cup
and his lady is there at his side
The old photo shows a young jockey all smiles
he’s just had his most notable ride
As he talks of the party which followed that win
a sad smile cracks his weathered old face
He recalls now the name of that owner tonight
but forgets what he earned for the race

Oh he’s earned it and spent it and gave it away
and loaned it to blokes on the bite
Well knowing he never will see them again
not knowing he’d be here tonight
As he pours me a beer it’s the last one he has
he smiles through the cigarette smoke
And he knows what I’m thinking we neither need speak
for we both know the feeling of broke

We’ve both had a moment or two in our time
when a dollar was easy to find
We’ve both had the chance to find out the hard way
that it’s easy to leave it behind
But we’re rich in the memories of good times we’ve known
me and this old jockey bloke
And we both know the worth of a fair dinkum mate
who will share his last beer when he’s broke
 
Oh he’s earned it and spent it and gave it away
and loaned it to blokes on the bite
Well knowing he never will see them again
not knowing he’d be here tonight
As he pours me a beer it’s the last one he has
he smiles through the cigarette smoke
And he knows what I’m thinking we neither need speak
for we both know the feeling of broke

Yes he’s earned it and spent it and gave it away
and loaned it to blokes on the bite
Well knowing he never will see them again
not knowing he’d be here tonight
As he pours me a beer it’s the last one he has
he smiles through the cigarette smoke
And he knows what I’m thinking we neither need speak
for we both know the feeling of broke

BUDDY & GRACE
© Shaza Leigh, Ben Jacobs & Ashley Cook

Lyrics Written by: Shaza Leigh, Ben Jacobs & Ashley Cook
Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Ashley Cook
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: Tribute to Buddy Williams - Ashley Cook

BULLS BUCKLES BEER
© Shaza Leigh & Ben Jacobs

Lyrics Written by: Ben Jacobs
Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Ashley Cook
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: Ashley Cook

BUNYIP BOUNCE
© Shaza Leigh

Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Shaza Leigh
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: Anthony Baxter

BUSHGIRLS DREAMS
© Shaza Leigh & Ray Rose   

Lyrics Written by: Ray Rose
Melody Composed by: Shaza Leigh
First Recorded by: Shaza Leigh
Released by: LBS Music Group
Album: Shaza Leigh - Shaza Leigh (1998)
Album: The Songwriter - Shaza Leigh (2004)