Three Rivers Hotel - Slim Dusty

From Townsville to Greenvale we're building a line

Through the ranges and gorges to the great nickel mine

The long days are dusty and hotter than hell

And that's why we all worship Three Rivers Hotel

It's Thiess Brothers camp on the banks of the Star

Where men from all nations and walks of life are

And it's funny to listen to the stories they tell

Every night 'round the bar in Three Rivers Hotel

We curse at the things that go wrong through the day

And vow that we'll snatch it, go far away

But when day is done and we're soon feeling well

And laughter rings out from Three Rivers Hotel

There's Wesley the barman and young Irish Joe

Serving the booze and collecting the dough

What a stir they would cause if they ever should tell

All the secrets they've learned in Three Rivers Hotel

On the night after payday there's fun and romance

It's a night for the fam'lies to sing and to dance

You can let down your hair and come out of your shell

And do your own thing in Three Rivers Hotel

And if you listen to the bosses when the night's gettin' late

On the progress they're makin' the best in the state

They'd be finished this line and this maint'nance as well

If they worked like they bragged in Three Rivers Hotel

And if you think you can drink we've got money to back

On stayers like Cass and old grader Jack

And they tell me old Custer gives everyone hell

When he gets on the booze in three Rivers Hotel

Yeah, he's a whopper

When this job is finished we'll pack up and go

To another construction still chasing big dough

But wherever I wander my memory will dwell

On those happy days in Three Rivers Hotel