Going to the River with Dad

I'm going to the river with dad In the kitchen the old kettle's singing I'm gonna get up soon and get out of bed Outside the cockatoos are calling I'm going to the river with dad I'm half awake and half dreaming Now we're driving down that old, bumpy track Between us the thermos of sweet tea steaming Lines and spears and bait up the back That old river appearing and disappearing I'm going to the river with dad All my brothers and sisters are still sleeping We're going for the good silver mullet At the back of the boat I'm steering Dad's standing up front with his spear Deep into the mangroves peering I gotta keep my tiller hand steady I don't wanna see my daddy stumbling and falling I'm going down the river with dad With the song of the birds in the morning He's long gone, I've passed his span But myself against him I'm still measuring Aiming for the mark of a man Sometimes hitting it, sometimes missing Trying to fill the unforgiving minute With the full sixty seconds of living Yeah, I'm still on the river with dad With the birdsong bringing the dawn in We're going for the good silver mullet I gotta keep my tiller hand steady We're going for the good silver mullet I gotta keep my tiller hand steady, steady