Newell Highway
John Warner, 1985
Awake before the dawn, within the spires of range
Where magpies ornate melodies
Engrave the chilly morning breeze
Beneath the towering stone
On nights of silver moon, too rich to waste on sleep
In silence make your way to seek
The choirs of frogs in swamp and creek
That sing beneath the stars
Out on the Western Plain beside the roaring road
Where trucks snarl by without a care
Are billabongs with ibis there
And wedge-tail eagles soar
All you who love the earth and make her ways your choice
Cry out against the noise of trade
Demand that silence should be made
That all might hear her voice
Her ancient, matchless voice