Cunnamulla Fella and Song

Back from all his travels, growing famous in the songs The Cunnamulla Fella has returned where he belongs, Finally his place of birth has reached out, calling him – He’s retiring from his rambling of the world with Stan and Slim.

It was Stan who penned the words that introduced us to his name, And Slim then sang about him, bought a rat-bag rogue to fame, And the whole world recognized him, though they never saw his face, At last that world can visit, now he’s come back to his place.

So welcome home Old Fella, it’s good to see you back From all those y ears spent trampling on the endless touring track; Now at last the time has come for you to settle down Do you notice all the changes as you overlook the town?

As you sit upon your pedestal, an icon of folklore Does your memory return you to those days of yore? Do you ever feel the nostalgia for those early care free days? Do I see sweet reminiscence in your calm reflective gaze?

Do you miss the mates who joined you in the days you chose to roam? Can you feel them here beside you as you settle in at home? Do you miss the night-time silence or the raging bullock roar? Do you wish that you could wander through the scrubby hills once more?

In my fancy I can see you, as at breakneck speed you ride In the pursuit of feral scrubbers, your dogs there by your side, And breaking horses wild of eye, their habits unattractive, Their spirits full of malice, their behaviour counteractive.

In your brightly coloured shirt round western bars and halls, With mates you’d drink and sometimes fight – a good time had by all, And there were other pleasures too, away from drinks and fights, And sometime loving came your way on moonlit starry nights.

You’ve seen a lot of country with your constant moving round, Had your share of escapades, covered lots of ground; That way of life is over now, you’ll no more freely wander The country side at leisure, just to see what’s over yonder.

So welcome back, Old Fella, where you started long ago – Glad to have you with us, here beside the Warrego; Your friends will gather round you and will join you in a song, We’re proud you chose to stay here in the place where you belong.

the cunnamulla fella

Now I’m a scrubber, runner and a breaker too I live on damper and wallaby stew I’ve got a big cattle dog with a staghound cross I never saw the scrubber we couldn’t toss

‘Cause I’m the fella from Cunnamulla Yes I’m the Cunnamulla Fella

Now once when I was drovin’ on a cattle trail I met a little girl named Adavale I said Marry me Ada and I’ll be the fella And we’ll settle down in Augethella

I’ll be the fella from Augethella Yes I’ll be the Augethella Fella

Oh she said her daddy’s name was Charleville She had a lot of kiddies and a lot of bills So I grabbed my horse that was nice and handy And I never stopped till I reached Dirranbandi

I was the Dandy at Dirranbandi Yes I was the Dirranbandi Dandy

Now in my moleskin trousers and my Williams boots, Aboard an outlaw as he leaves the chutes In my gooseneck spurs I rake their fiery hide And the girls all shouted around the ringside

For he’s the fella from Cunnamulla Yes he’s the Cunnamulla Fella

Now I’ve done a little fighting in the western bars Done a little lovin neath the moon and stars I wear bright clothes with shirts full of colour And the girls know me as that certain fella

Yes he’s the fella from Cunnamulla Yes he’s the Cunnamulla Fella

Oh he’s the fella from Cunnamulla Yes he’s the Cunnamulla Fella

The Cunnamulla Fella is a song written by Stan Coster and sung by Slim Dusty. The town of Cunnamulla has erected a statue of the Cunnamulla Fella as a tribute to Stan and Slim and to the ‘ringers’ of the bush.