Thanks so much to a dear Australian friend for introducing me to this man whose soul pours out to us through his beautiful, yearning songs. From True Blue to Galleries of Pink Galahs, and now to this one, A Bushman Can't Survive, my heart and his are kindred spirits even though I'm in America, in Ohio's Amish & Mennonite farming country. God Bless John Williamson as He blesses us by sharing this wonderful soul with us!
I loved Australia since I was 5. I know not why, but John has touched me in such a way with his music that I feel I am Australian and I want to go home. I am now 66. A long time to yearn. Should not have left 15 years ago.
I just discovered John Williamson. Im in America and and his music is all new to me. The first song I heard of his was True Blue. I am now getting acquainted with more of his music. I hope to visit Australia one day.
always the articulating feeling of all us Aussies , he knows how to make us feel in our hearts who we are and what we feel and see in the bush with his songs . best Australian music i have ever heard !
gives me tingles, his music is unbelievably touchin to every aussie heart. i bought my dad the cd set and i listen to it more than him. my favourite artist and im only 19, shows that his music is for everyone.
Im only 11 but i love his music thanks to my dad who i do not speak of grew me up with this music such as this, and other songs like kryptonite dirty old town and so on.
Brings me to tears every time I listen to this song, instantly my dear old dad comes to mind, how he had to move from his "world" and move closer to civilization, because of his health, unfortunately I am sure the move shorten his life - "A Bushman Can't Survive" RIP Dear Man
This beautiful song reaches deeply into my heart. I, too, came from the bush to the city because my partner wanted to live near her parents. I always thought that I would be able to go back, once I retired. But now I have children and grand children here in the city. So I have to be content with being able to get away to the bush for short periods. At least i have John's music to keep my memories alive.
Kimble you've described my situation exactly. Every so often, I pack my vehicle and go bush with my two dogs for a few weeks. Last time was in April this year and I went out to Silverton then into Sth Aust. Next trip will be over to Sth Aust to Marree, up the Birdsville Track to Birdsville then across the Diamontina Development Track and eventually to Black Mountain Qld to catch up with an old friend
Kimble Jury I hear you. I have now lived longer in our cities than the small country town I grew up in. Back then, I was a young man in a rush to leave town and prove myself to the world. Now, I'm a middle aged man longing for the parched paddocks, Loddon, Campaspe and Murray rivers, the shade of a Wattle or Gum, and the stench of the seldom used shearing sheds. I can't go for walks or disappear on my bike the way I did as a kid, and with a family of my own it's unlikely I'll return to the bush. But by turning on some John Williamson, I can escape, even if only for 3 or 4 minutes, to the place that owns my heart.
This song goes straight to my heart. One of the best songs I have ever heard. Makes me feel I should have been born in Australia, instead of the US. Feel like a bushman stuck in the city.
I'm a real old cowboy. Mustered cattle on horseback, can rope, break a horse ( although I like to call it starting a horse) but now with all my injuries I'm a bushy stuck in town now. Know how you feel my friend.
So good to see this song loaded up. Born and raised in the bush. Worked in the bush too. Married a city girl. I have lived in her city for 30 years now. And she won't come back to the bush with me. So I guess I will go back by myself.
My favourite JW song! I've never been a 'bushie', per se, but I love being in 'the bush', i.e. among eucalypts, etc., rather than out there droving, but Bushman Can't Survive still brings a lump to my throat - every time I hear it.
Grew up on the Barcoo. Love yellowbelly. Still live rural. Beautiful green wet Tasmania. But this song and my memory makes me miss the dry Queensland outback.
A great tune by John...I am very fortunate as an American to have friends who have sent me hundreds of Aussie songs. I got to know the music of this man, Brian Letton, Slim Dusty, Paul McCloud, Eric Bogle and many other Aussie performers. Your music from down under is wonderful, I wish many more American's knew about it...Cheers from the USA...
I hear you. planning to go to Tamworth next year while on my 3mo walkabout down under. I also want to see the statue from Jamwa Blundell's Ride Into Town
+Gene Floyd wish I could edit this, couple of typos in there. Maybe when I get on the computer and not my phone. either way, I'll be shooting for the longest distance visitor award coming from Tallahassee, FL lol
Another fantastic Song from John Williamson about a bloke who now lives in the City but yearns to return to the Bush where he grew up! Wonderful Stuff indeed!🧔🎙️🎸🎼🎵🎶🤠🐏🐑🐂🐖🏚️🏞️🇦🇺
Fire up John the old tunes are great but we need you to know mate. The old Oz is being taken away. Flag of our own I love and truly support. Hope your going ok mate.
Well, I'm not a guy, and I'm not exactly from the Bush, but I recently spent two weeks in a city and found myself getting unbearably claustrophobic... going to a park ever now and then isn't enough. Give me the country over city life any day, and this teenager will be happy. I dread the day I have to live in the city. It's so true a country/Bush person can't survive on city lights (actually, I just can't sleep with city lights...). Thanks so much for this song!!
I was born in a semi rural area in South Western Sydney, but my heart is in the bush. I wanted to locate to the bush but my family is established in the city. Maybe one day I will get there. This is whay I love John' s music. His sings always remind me of the Australian bush.
I was introduced to John Willamson and this songs not long ago by the love of my life....... the love of my life is no longer in my life :( but John Williamson and his music is.......
Since I discovered John's music 30 years ago,I have always turned to it when questioning my life and things going on in it and he makes me remember who I am and were my heart is , thank you John . You biggest Aussie fan .
Very awesome song and singer. I get chills thinking of the idea of him and Willie Nelson singing a duet together with Willie singing the last chorus as "A cowboy can't survive on city lights". Their voices and accents would match so well.
Only 23 and this song says so much to me i have moved back to melbourne after 2 years in a little qld country town with only 500 odd people and i dont like it too much noise everyones in a damm rush think i will just go back live out bush forever
Ohh, people's comments have brought a tear... Not because I am in the same boat, but because I'm not -- I bought the farm. So I can squint and sweat in the blistering heat, and take refuge on the verandah; or jump in the dam when it gets too much -- and catch yabbies with my toes! I can smell the sheep and billowing red dust, and mixed with the eucy in the air, there's no sweeter perfume. I need to dodge the king browns and roos, and check for redbacks in the outhouse. I watch for falling gums, whether the rain's tumbling down or not; and I wake every morning to the smells, sights, and songs of the bush. To those who don't, you have my profound sympathies.
When we lived in Mt Isa we knew an Irish girl and her husband who was a head stockman on Calton Station. She brought him into town where he got a job at the mine and she a chef at the Irish Club. He couldn’t settle into life in the town. Missed his life on the station too much. So still today when I hear this song, I think of Trish and Darryl way back in the 1980’s.
FOUND JOHN AND HIS MUSIC THROUGH MY X ASSIE HUBBY,,,DAVID IS GONE, I WON THOUGH I STILL HAVE THIS GREAT AUSSIE MUSIC,,,THANK YOU TO ALL YOU GOOD BLOKES,,,
this might sound strange but some times i drive just out side of the city and roll my swag on the back of my ute just so i can see the stars and the sound of the night.
I live by this song, can honestly say, born and raised in the mountains, gotta go into the city to work at times and all i con honestly say is i cant wait to get me ass outa their and back to me mountain forrestral village and go wanderin along the billabong
this is true a bushman cant't survive with all the crap so we have create it ourselfs lots of love to all the bushpeople trying to find a way these days and a very very special thanks to john willamson for speaking and singing for us all. we need the bush to stay alive. thanks john
so true! I moved from my city of 25,000 people to London with 8,000,000 people. I mean I loved the experience, but boy I cannot wait to spend some time with space and not so much hecticness!
I love when John says his Kelpie dog im nearly 60years old when I was 5years old my beloved late father bought me my first beautiful black and tan Kelpie puppy mummy called her lady 👍🤠🐨🦘🐎✌️🐴
![John Williamson - A Flag Of Our Own [Official Video]](/img/1.gif)
As an expat Aussie the only way I could face entering New York city was to play this song. And it still brings tears to the eyes. I long to be home.
I have left Australi over 26 years ago, yet every time I listen to this song tears run down my face! - and its often!
We totally share your words. Should never have left. Now I'm crying again. I miss Australia so much.
Same here..been 20 years
Thanks so much to a dear Australian friend for introducing me to this man whose soul pours out to us through his beautiful, yearning songs. From True Blue to Galleries of Pink Galahs, and now to this one, A Bushman Can't Survive, my heart and his are kindred spirits even though I'm in America, in Ohio's Amish & Mennonite farming country. God Bless John Williamson as He blesses us by sharing this wonderful soul with us!
I loved Australia since I was 5. I know not why, but John has touched me in such a way with his music that I feel I am Australian and I want to go home. I am now 66. A long time to yearn. Should not have left 15 years ago.
I love A Bushman can't survive so much.John sings it with so much feeling. ❤
I just discovered John Williamson. Im in America and and his music is all new to me. The first song I heard of his was True Blue. I am now getting acquainted with more of his music. I hope to visit Australia one day.
I'm an American that found this beautiful and haunting music quite by accident. I love it
always the articulating feeling of all us Aussies , he knows how to make us feel in our hearts who we are and what we feel and see in the bush with his songs .
best Australian music i have ever heard !
Yes. His words go straight through our hearts. We're Kiwis and he gets to us in ways no other music can. There is no other music in our house.
John Williamson has more songs that make me cry than anyone else. This is one of his most poignant.
gives me tingles, his music is unbelievably touchin to every aussie heart. i bought my dad the cd set and i listen to it more than him. my favourite artist and im only 19, shows that his music is for everyone.
Im only 11 but i love his music thanks to my dad who i do not speak of grew me up with this music such as this, and other songs like kryptonite dirty old town and so on.
Brings me to tears every time I listen to this song, instantly my dear old dad comes to mind, how he had to move from his "world" and move closer to civilization, because of his health, unfortunately I am sure the move shorten his life - "A Bushman Can't Survive" RIP Dear Man
Good on ya mate
This beautiful song reaches deeply into my heart. I, too, came from the bush to the city because my partner wanted to live near her parents. I always thought that I would be able to go back, once I retired. But now I have children and grand children here in the city. So I have to be content with being able to get away to the bush for short periods. At least i have John's music to keep my memories alive.
Onya Kimble. We need the bush and the desert to ground us and keep us aussie!
Kimble you've described my situation exactly. Every so often, I pack my vehicle and go bush with my two dogs for a few weeks. Last time was in April this year and I went out to Silverton then into Sth Aust. Next trip will be over to Sth Aust to Marree, up the Birdsville Track to Birdsville then across the Diamontina Development Track and eventually to Black Mountain Qld to catch up with an old friend
I know mate, 15 years of outback shearing now I work in an office so kids can go to school. Fuck me.
Kimble Jury
@
Kimble Jury I hear you. I have now lived longer in our cities than the small country town I grew up in.
Back then, I was a young man in a rush to leave town and prove myself to the world. Now, I'm a middle aged man longing for the parched paddocks, Loddon, Campaspe and Murray rivers, the shade of a Wattle or Gum, and the stench of the seldom used shearing sheds.
I can't go for walks or disappear on my bike the way I did as a kid, and with a family of my own it's unlikely I'll return to the bush. But by turning on some John Williamson, I can escape, even if only for 3 or 4 minutes, to the place that owns my heart.
This song goes straight to my heart. One of the best songs I have ever heard. Makes me feel I should have been born in Australia, instead of the US. Feel like a bushman stuck in the city.
I'm a real old cowboy. Mustered cattle on horseback, can rope, break a horse ( although I like to call it starting a horse) but now with all my injuries I'm a bushy stuck in town now. Know how you feel my friend.
I feel you. My husband I feel it every day. Waiting for that big LOTTO win. HAHA.
So good to see this song loaded up. Born and raised in the bush. Worked in the bush too. Married a city girl. I have lived in her city for 30 years now. And she won't come back to the bush with me. So I guess I will go back by myself.
My favourite JW song! I've never been a 'bushie', per se, but I love being in 'the bush', i.e. among eucalypts, etc., rather than out there droving, but Bushman Can't Survive still brings a lump to my throat - every time I hear it.
Grew up on the Barcoo. Love yellowbelly. Still live rural. Beautiful green wet Tasmania. But this song and my memory makes me miss the dry Queensland outback.
This is what the world needs right now
A great tune by John...I am very fortunate as an American to have friends who have sent me hundreds of Aussie songs. I got to know the music of this man, Brian Letton, Slim Dusty, Paul McCloud, Eric Bogle and many other Aussie performers. Your music from down under is wonderful, I wish many more American's knew about it...Cheers from the USA...
I hear you. planning to go to Tamworth next year while on my 3mo walkabout down under. I also want to see the statue from Jamwa Blundell's Ride Into Town
+Gene Floyd wish I could edit this, couple of typos in there. Maybe when I get on the computer and not my phone. either way, I'll be shooting for the longest distance visitor award coming from Tallahassee, FL lol
this is great im from america and i love his music
Hows the USA treating you?
I'm a NZer and I like his music... heard him in a shop when I visited my aunt and uncle in Sydney and came home, went on youtube and found this.
Another fantastic Song from John Williamson about a bloke who now lives in the City but yearns to return to the Bush where he grew up! Wonderful Stuff indeed!🧔🎙️🎸🎼🎵🎶🤠🐏🐑🐂🐖🏚️🏞️🇦🇺
Fire up John the old tunes are great but we need you to know mate. The old Oz is being taken away. Flag of our own I love and truly support. Hope your going ok mate.
Well, I'm not a guy, and I'm not exactly from the Bush, but I recently spent two weeks in a city and found myself getting unbearably claustrophobic... going to a park ever now and then isn't enough. Give me the country over city life any day, and this teenager will be happy. I dread the day I have to live in the city. It's so true a country/Bush person can't survive on city lights (actually, I just can't sleep with city lights...). Thanks so much for this song!!
I was born in a semi rural area in South Western Sydney, but my heart is in the bush. I wanted to locate to the bush but my family is established in the city. Maybe one day I will get there. This is whay I love John' s music. His sings always remind me of the Australian bush.
I was introduced to John Willamson and this songs not long ago by the love of my life....... the love of my life is no longer in my life :( but John Williamson and his music is.......
Since I discovered John's music 30 years ago,I have always turned to it when questioning my life and things going on in it and he makes me remember who I am and were my heart is , thank you John . You biggest Aussie fan .
such a beautiful song John keep up the great work
I love Johns music...And have done for years....I have lots of his CD's and love to listen to them.....From Johns number no 1 fan in Ireland....
My dad brought me up with this and his dad is irish!! I feel like alot of people listen to him from your way
I'm a Bushman, and I've never lived in a city.
Love this song.
makes me really want to go back thanks john and australia
DITTO!
Very awesome song and singer. I get chills thinking of the idea of him and Willie Nelson singing a duet together with Willie singing the last chorus as "A cowboy can't survive on city lights". Their voices and accents would match so well.
+Gene Floyd I can certainly hear that working :)
I'll be back home soon my beloved island 🏝️
Only 23 and this song says so much to me i have moved back to melbourne after 2 years in a little qld country town with only 500 odd people and i dont like it too much noise everyones in a damm rush think i will just go back live out bush forever
Ohh, people's comments have brought a tear...
Not because I am in the same boat, but because I'm not -- I bought the farm. So I can squint and sweat in the blistering heat, and take refuge on the verandah; or jump in the dam when it gets too much -- and catch yabbies with my toes! I can smell the sheep and billowing red dust, and mixed with the eucy in the air, there's no sweeter perfume. I need to dodge the king browns and roos, and check for redbacks in the outhouse. I watch for falling gums, whether the rain's tumbling down or not; and I wake every morning to the smells, sights, and songs of the bush.
To those who don't, you have my profound sympathies.
Good job John A bushman can't survive
I have a deep love for the country after living out there for 3 months and having to come back to the city, I well I hate the city
how good is to listen to you john...you are the man!
Best song ever john,can relate to this
Well that put a tear in my eyes
When we lived in Mt Isa we knew an Irish girl and her husband who was a head stockman on Calton Station. She brought him into town where he got a job at the mine and she a chef at the Irish Club. He couldn’t settle into life in the town. Missed his life on the station too much. So still today when I hear this song, I think of Trish and Darryl way back in the 1980’s.
Brings tears to my eyes making me long for the country
FOUND JOHN AND HIS MUSIC THROUGH MY X ASSIE HUBBY,,,DAVID IS GONE, I WON THOUGH I STILL HAVE THIS GREAT AUSSIE MUSIC,,,THANK YOU TO ALL YOU GOOD BLOKES,,,
he got me smilin with the yellowbelly bit :)
this might sound strange but some times i drive just out side of the city and roll my swag on the back of my ute just so i can see the stars and the sound of the night.
I come from the "yellow belly" country. This song soothes my soul when I feel the city closing in. True blue song
+Michael Wark , I came from Cod & Redfin Country (Corowa NSW)!!!
Sadly, it's European Carp Country now!!
+J English yeah I remember my dad used to go on the Barwon and Namoi and come home with bags of yellow belly and cod
Spent 30 yrs in Oz, 10 in the 'Alice'. This song resonates so much, I do miss the bush.
beautiful song from a wonderful heart of John ....... can not find a word to describe ♥
Love from Eddi
Australia is numbers one on my bucket list
I live by this song, can honestly say, born and raised in the mountains, gotta go into the city to work at times and all i con honestly say is i cant wait to get me ass outa their and back to me mountain forrestral village and go wanderin along the billabong
Makes me want to cry I live in the city I want live in the bush once I finish school.
John Williamson, he is right up there with SLim Dusty and Stan Coster. great entertainer on his own, very talented.
"His moon shines on the silver Brigalow
Shimmers down the inland river flow
Out there where the yellow belly bite"
Tears streaming down my face
Breaks my heart everytime.I stuck in the city for 13 long years.Love is a powerful thing it seems.
George
great rendition from the song writer,thanks John
love this song, very touching!
It's either born in you or not. When it is - the yearning to go back never stops.
Good God ☺This is song writing at is best ☺Love it 😆
Iv lived in uk since 2003
Defo my song
Tugs at the aussie heart strings, a genuine and moving song.
Anne McCondach yep gets the old tears running he is so great at doing that
Aah such an appropriate song for so many people , brings tears to the eyes
Opera, Rock and Roll and height of heights! A Bushman Can't Survive, that's for sure!
Beautiful lyrics, true blue life
Is it ok if i shed a single manly tear to this song?
Of coarse you can. I'll join you. :)
This feller stands head and shoulders above all the other pretenders . He was surely Slims apprentice.
What a song and what a story
Classic. Love it. From the old Aussie
this is true a bushman cant't survive with all the crap so we have create it ourselfs
lots of love to all the bushpeople trying to find a way these days and a very very special thanks to john willamson for speaking and singing for us all. we need the bush to stay alive.
thanks john
Great song. I am just thinking about moving back home again. I am so homesick.
This is one of my absolute favurite Aussie country songs. Thanks for uploading!!
The most moving line of this song is : "he can smell the Cyprus on the floor".
so true! I moved from my city of 25,000 people to London with 8,000,000 people. I mean I loved the experience, but boy I cannot wait to spend some time with space and not so much hecticness!
Wish you had been there 50 years ago and caught it in the last days of what it was really about. Glad you had a preview young fella
MAN i hate living in the citty. John Williamson's singing reminds me of going campin
and it reminds me tht Aussies ARE TOP BLOKES
a true blue aussie song tugs at my heart
I lived in the city for 10 years I adapted but once I was back in the Bush all I could I think was, how did I do it???
I watch John play last night at the Lismore workers club and he was great
This man is GOOD!
Thanks John.
I love John's music even though I am Irish....
👌 hoping to get back....live in the uk.....
I clapped at the end beautiful well done john
me too im only 18 and hes my fave aussie artist
Opera and height of heights! A Bushman Can't Survive, that's for sure!
Merry Christmas from the bush mates.
Super Typ...Habe ihn life gesehen im Sydney Opera House
brings tears to the one's who relate...
I love when John says his Kelpie dog im nearly 60years old when I was 5years old my beloved late father bought me my first beautiful black and tan Kelpie puppy mummy called her lady 👍🤠🐨🦘🐎✌️🐴
beautiful... :)
This really beats the live version with Lee and Tania Kernaghan, that's for sure. Nice and quite John! Love it!x
magic just bloody magic
Finish a hard, hot day pushing Cattle around, Turn on John Williamson and crack a can.
❤❤
His love ❤️ of his country ❤️
His music resonates with the soul & great land of Australia 🇦🇺 ❤️❤️
love this( bonnie dawn)
Beauty
This song and True Blue discribes my Dad to a "T". And im sure it discribes a lot of Aussie country men very accurately
gotta love him
Awsome🎉
this song makes me feel i need to go back to place i belong.
it´s fantastic! :) 5*****
love johnny williamson
If I didn't have the space and fresh air then i'd go mad too.
Well now that is just a bloody good song.