G  Em  C  G    Am   G   D   G


[Verse 1]
   G         D           C                   G
Galleries of pink galahs, crystal nights with diamond stars
Am       G                 D          G
apricots preserved in jars,  that's my home
G               D         C              G
Land of oceans in the sun, purple hazes  river gum
Am                     G               D                 G
breaks your heart when rain won't come, it breaks your heart


[Chorus]
G                     C
It takes a harsh and cruel drought
G                   C
to sort the weaker saplings out
G                  C                                
it makes room for stronger trees       
Am                C         G          
maybe that's what life's about
G                 C                  
Winter's come, the hills are brown 
G                    C
shops are closed  the blinds are down
G            C          Am                  G
everybody's leavin' town   they can't go on


[Solo]
G  Em  C  G    Am   G   D   G


[Verse 2]
G                       D                 
The south wind through veranda gauze
C                    G
whines and bangs the homestead doors
Am                    G     D           G
a mother curses dusty floors  and feels alone
G                      D             
Trucks and bulk bins filled with rust  
C                   G
boy leaves home to make a crust
Am                 G             D               G
a father's dreams reduced to dust  but he must go on


[Chorus]
G                 C
Tortured red gums unashamed
 G               C
sunburnt country wisely named
G                   C                                      
chisel-ploughed and wire claimed       
Am              C       G
but never never never tamed


[Solo]
G  C  G  C    G  Am  C  G     D  C  G    D  G  D  G


[Verse 3]
G                  D          C                 G
Whirlwind swirls a paper high  same old news of further dry
Am                    G         D            G
of broken clouds just passing by that's my home
G              D         C              G
Land of oceans in the sun purple hazes river gum
Am                     G              D                 G
breaks your heart when rain won't come it breaks your heart