Cattle and Cane
The Go-Betweens
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I recall a schoolboy coming home through fields of cane to a house of tin and timber and in the sky a rain of falling cinders from time to time the waste memory-wastes I recall a boy in bigger pants like everyone just waiting for a chance his father's watch he left it in the showers from time to time the waste memory-wastes I recall a bigger brighter world a world of books and silent times in thought and then the railroad the railroad takes him home through fields of cattle through fields of cane from time to time the waste memory-wastes the waste memory-wastes further, longer, higher, older
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Written by: ROBERT DERWENT GARTH FORSTER, GRANT WILLIAM MCLENNAN
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Details"Cattle and Cane" is a song by the Australian indie rock band The Go-Betweens, released in 1983.
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Band MembersThe band was formed by Robert Forster and Grant McLennan, who wrote all the band's songs. Forster played guitar and sang, and McLennan switched between bass, guitar and vocals.
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Song OriginRobert Forster and Grant Mclennan wrote the song on Nick Cave's acoustic guitar when they were living at Sunnyboys' billet in London.
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Song InspirationThe song is an autobiographical featuring a melancholic recollection of Grant McLennan's childhood memories growing up on a rural Queensland cattle station, which set it apart from other songs of its era.
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Critical AccoladesThe song is considered one of the greatest Australian songs of all time, having been ranked at No. 11 on the APRA Top 30 Australian songs music chart.
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Album Details"Cattle and Cane" featured on the Go-Betweens' second album, "Before Hollywood." The album is considered by some to be their best, and it marked a turning point for the band, with its driven, melodic sound.
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Music VideoA music video for the song was made in black and white featuring images of rural landscapes, interspersed with footage of the band. This was highly unusual at the time, and contributed to the song's distinctiveness.
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Song’s Unique Musical FeaturesOne of the song's most distinctive features is a 4/4 time signature but played in waltz time. This gives it a mesmerising, rolling rhythm, as does Mclennan's distinctive 'plangent' guitar style.
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Song SuccessDespite its critical success, "Cattle and Cane" did not chart significantly at the time of its release. However, it has since been covered by numerous artists and remains a must-play song in the band's live sets.
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Song LyricsThe lyrics are quite poetic and feature imagery of rural Australia, trains, and homesickness. This gave the song a distinctly nostalgic and evocative feel that resonated with listeners.
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Citation
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"Cattle and Cane Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 10 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/17323921/The+Go-Betweens/Cattle+and+Cane>.
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