This cruel country has driven me down

Teased me and lied, teased me and lied

I've only sad stories to tell to this town

My dreams have withered and died


Once I was bending the tops of the trees

Kind words in my ears and kind faces to see

Then I struck up with the boys from the west

They'd run and hide, they'd run and hide

Count one to ten and he's gone with the west

My dreams have withered and died


Silver moon sailor and silver moonshine

On the water so wide, the water so wide

Steal from the bed of some good friend of mine

My dreams have withered and died


If I was a butterfly I'd live for a day

I would be free just blowing away

This cruel country has driven me down

Teased me and lied, teased me and lied

I've only sad stories to tell to this town

My dreams have withered and died