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Songs from the Barrier Line

by Charlotte Le Lievre

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1.
Barrier line 03:16
So much sorrow so much doubt in my mind I’m way out west just doin’ my time Oh lord they got me workin’ hard down at the railroad yard I’m stranded on the barrier line No more movin’ no more roamin’ around My heart wants to ramble my feet chained to the ground All day long the boxcars roll by I long for freedom but my binds are tied I’m stranded on the barrier line Won’t you break me, please forsake me I long for that salt to sting my eyes Please unhand me, understand me I’m stranded on the barrier line So much sorrow so much doubt in my mind It’s the feelin’ I get when I’m workin’ the line Oh, how much I wanna break free but these iron ranges they are holdin’ me I’m stranded on the barrier line Yes, I’m stranded on the barrier line
2.
I was just a silver miner’s daughter Raised in a shack 20 miles from the border There was hardship and pain But we were free to wander to the plains I was just a silver miner’s child Born to the dust of the land so red and wild We were poor as mud But we were wrapped in golden love We’d spend our nights round the burnin’ fire Singin’ to the tunes of the union choir Oh, such is the life of a silver miner I was just a silver miner’s daughter Dad worked hard to make a livin’ dollar Mum would do the sums The lead dust filled his lungs We’d spend our nights round the burnin’ fire Singin’ to the tunes of the union choir Oh, such is the life of a silver miner Oh, such is the life of a silver miner
3.
Come go to the barrier mines, oh to join the picket lines To stand on the union side, we’ll stop those who dare to break the strike Oh, trouble and strife, such is the miner’s life To survive we must organise Long hours for not much pay, our children’s mouths are hungry again Much to our dismay another worker died today Oh, down in the mines, we are living on borrowed time To survive we must unionise So, come take your broom in hand We’ll tar the bosses and the scabs For none shall work down in the mines Against the black legs we’ll hold the line For some who have rebelled, they’ve thrown em’ in the police cells But still we will meet and lead the prison march down Argent Street Oh, hear us cry union songs as we pass by We’ll fight for freedom until we die So, come take your broom in hand We’ll tar the bosses and the scabs For none shall work down in the mines Against the black legs we’ll hold the line For none shall work down in the mines Against the black legs we’ll hold the line Against the coppers we’ll hold the line Against the bosses we’ll hold the line Against the black legs we’ll hold the line Against the coppers we’ll hold the line Against the bosses we’ll hold the line
4.
Mutawintji 03:13
My heart is singin’ with the colours The colours of the hills so red My feet are ramblin’ to the rhythm Of that dry Mutawintji river bed Ghost gums they stretch to the achin’ sky They yearn for the taste of the river’s lullaby Country so sweet it unburdens my mind From the worry and sorrow I keep For a world in trouble so deep My heart is singin’ with the colours The colours of the hills so red My feet are ramblin’ to the rhythm Of that dry Mutawintji river bed The milky way it glistens oh so bright And I wake to the sound of the warblin’ magpie Country so strong I can feel you here with me Held in the land’s memory The sweetest of all its melodies My heart is singin’ with the colours The colours of the hills so red My feet are ramblin’ to the rhythm Of that dry Mutawintji river bed
5.
Creek bed 02:57
When my time is done and gone Take me back to the creek bed where I once belonged Oh, won’t you share my remains With the gentle wind and the Western plains There my soul will intertwine With the campfires that burnt all through my life I will be something under the sun Part of knowledge and goodness and the country I loved When I cross to the other side I’ll go back to the red gums in their limbs I’ll confide I’ll be part of the mystery the land it contains Flowin’ deep in the blood of the creek bed’s red veins There my soul will intertwine With the campfires that burnt all through my life I will be something under the sun Part of knowledge and goodness and the country I loved There my soul will intertwine With the campfires that burnt all through my life I will be something under the sun Part of knowledge and goodness and the country I loved
6.
My heart was lost to the Western wind Too adrift to let love in Burned by the fires of lovers that have been Until you brought it back to me again Oh lord to my surprise You were right there in front of me the whole time If I’d looked with my heart not my eyes I’d have seen you right in front of me the whole time I was awash in a sea of grief You took my tears, you held me You gave me sunlight, air that I could breathe You put the colours back into my dreams Oh lord to my surprise You were right there in front of me the whole time If I’d looked with my heart not my eyes I’d have seen you right in front of me the whole time That first night you held me in your arms I felt our friendship turn to love Oh lord to my surprise You were right there in front of me the whole time If I’d looked with my heart not my eyes I’d have seen you right in front of me the whole time I’d have seen you right in front of me the whole time
7.
Well you’ve been driftin’ like a wayward breeze I wish that roller would bring you back again From Port Augusta to Alice Springs Seems you love the land more than you do me I want you to rest on my floor Won’t that freight train bring you to my door Won’t that freight train bring you to my door Well I’ve been ebbin’ like the lonesome tide Longin’ for you to be here by my side These bones were destined to ride the freight Maybe one day I’ll come home if you can wait I long to rest my head on your floor Won’t that freight train bring me to your door Won’t that freight train bring me to your door Oh, that freight train it’s whinin’ low Oh, that freight train it bears my load Won’t it bring, bring you home Won’t that freight train bring you home
8.
Oh, how I used to be Gone with the wind, at the whim of the sea But since you left the world I’ve grown so tired Maybe one of the days I’m gonna quit my ramblin’ ways Like the roots of a tree When I’d roam you’d anchor me You’d guide me home but now you’re gone Without you holdin’ me I ain’t got the will to keep travellin’ on I am like a wayward train there’s no tracks guidin’ me I once was found but now I’m lost, I feel so ill at ease Without you holdin’ me I ain’t got the will to keep travellin’ on Maybe one of the days I’m gonna quit my ramblin’ ways Maybe one of the days I’m gonna quit my ramblin’ ways
9.
As you lay you down to sleep A vigil by your bed we’ll keep As your heart slows your breath grows weak A vigil by your bed we’ll keep Your journey’s long the road is steep A vigil by your bed we’ll keep As you near the path of eternal dreams A vigil by your bed we’ll keep And on your way our love will guide Until we meet you on the other side And there you’ll be our guiding star To light the path from afar As midnight fades and daylight creeps A vigil by your bed we’ll keep As winter comes cedars shed their leaves A vigil by your bed we’ll keep And on your way our love will guide Until we meet you on the other side And there you’ll be our guiding star To light the path from afar Drink our love then go in peace A vigil by your bed we’ll keep Your lips they smile as you ride free A vigil by your bed we’ll keep And on your way our love will guide Until we meet you on the other side And there you’ll be our guiding star To light the path from afar And there you’ll be our guiding star To light the path from afar
10.
My grievin’ heart went walking out On the railroad line that’s abandoned now The country held my sorrow sweet Lay a path for my weary feet The west wind blew thoughts of you I’ll hold you close ‘til my days are through Together we’ll walk these tracks and lines Soul of mother and child intertwined And your love rolls on like the endless sky It is richer than a silver mine I hold you close in night so deep In my heart your love I’ll keep When you were young you rode wild and free On the back of your old white steed I see you now on the barrier line Ridin’ free ‘til the end of time And your love rolls on like the endless sky It is richer than a silver mine I see you now on the barrier line Ridin’ free ‘til the end of time I see you now on the barrier line Ridin’ free ‘til the end of time

about

Songs from the Barrier Line is an ode to my grief and to the Wilyakali & Barkindji country that held me through it.

It was made in loving memory of my mum Julie who is ridin’ free ‘til the end of time. I wish more than anything her ears could hear these songs but the sad paradox is that they wouldn’t exist if she hadn’t of passed. I love you mum. Thank you for always nurturing my creativity.

credits

released March 10, 2023

All songs written by Charlotte Le Lievre. Freight train features the tune Elk River Blues by old time fiddler Ernie Carpenter.

Produced and arranged by Jas Bell, Charlotte Le Lievre and Grace Bigby. I am so grateful to Jas and Grace for going on this journey with me and supporting my songs to become the best possible versions of themselves.

Recorded live to tape by engineer Alex Bennett at Sound Recordings on Dja Dja Wurrung country in Campbell’s Creek, 17-20 June 2022, with the full moon shining and the wood fire roaring. It was a joy and an honour to work with Alex and to trust that he understood my vision creatively, emotionally and sonically.

Mixed by Alex Bennett, Jas Bell and Charlotte Le Lievre.

Mastered by Adam Dempsey.

Photography by Alexandra Rosenblum.

Design by Aimee Volkofsky of Bush Witch Productions. I am so grateful to Aimee for her endless support of my music and for creating opportunities for musicians in regional places.

Musicians:
+ Charlotte Le Lievre – Acoustic guitar, vocals
+ Jas Bell – Mandolin, pedal steel, acoustic guitar on ‘We’ll hold the line’ and ‘Vigil by your bed’, gang vocals on ‘We’ll hold the line’
+ Grace Bigby – Fiddle, gang vocals on ‘We’ll hold the line’
+ Patrick Pheasant – Double bass, backing vocals on ‘Vigil by your bed’, gang vocals on ‘We’ll hold the line’
+ Patrick Wilson – Drums
+ Luke ‘Donny Dash’ Byrnes – Electric guitar, mandolin on ‘We’ll hold the line’, gang vocals on ‘We’ll hold the line’
+ Elwood Sze – Banjo
+ Grace Turner – Backing vocals, gang vocals on ‘We’ll hold the line’

It was an absolute delight to work with this special bunch of musicians. I am grateful for all the hard work, enthusiasm, friendship, creative input and bold suggestions. This record would not have been possible without such incredible collaborators.

I would like to give an extra special shout out to Jas Bell for being my sidekick and having my back every step of the way. Their time, honesty, knowledge, support, friendship and deep understanding of my songs has been invaluable.

I would like to acknowledge the Wilyakali & Barkindji people of Far West NSW on whose country these songs were written and inspired.

I would like to thank my beautiful network of friends and family for holding me through grief and giving me the courage to make this album. A special thank you to Mick Coates and Aimee Volkofsky for lending their ears to early drafts of my songs.

A special thank you to Creative Victoria - this project was made possible with funding support from the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

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Charlotte Le Lievre Melbourne, Australia

With her lilting voice and timeless sensibilities, Charlotte Le Lievre makes music that hits the heart in the unique tradition of classic country songwriters. Her songs accomplish the rare gift of delving deep into grief and heartache whilst simultaneously imparting joy. Drawing on an array of early country and folk styles Charlotte and band pay homage to the origins of this music. ... more

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