'Beaconsfield' is a simple country/folk tune about a remarkable real event affecting normal people. In the spirit of the folk tradition, my publisher, Universal Music, has agreed to allow this recording of the song to be made available for free download to anyone who wants it.
The SongTo download 'Beaconsfield' as an MP3 music file:- PC: Right click HERE and choose "Save Target As..."
- MAC: Control click HERE and choose "Download linked file"
Click here to listen to 'Beaconsfield' without downloading it.
Beaconsfield
Words and Music by Colin Buchanan © 2006 Universal Music (Aust.) (p) Wanaaring Road Music. Written and recorded live to Colin's laptop on Tuesday, 9th May 2006, the day Todd Russell and Brant Webb were freed and walked from the Beaconsfield Gold Mine after 2 weeks trapped in a rockfall 1 km below ground. Later that day their comrade, Larry Knight, was laid to rest. Todd and Brant attended their mate's funeral.
I'd ask that media please note and record these publishing details for airplay purposes.
Click here to receive news of any further plans to record or perform "Beaconsfield".
The StoryAt the urging of Richard Glover, 702 ABC Sydney drive presenter, on Tuesday afternoon, 9th May 2006, I wrote a song about the Beaconsfield Rescue. I think it is one of those "in the moment" songs that sort of popped out. It's my attempt to tell the story in an uncomplicated, unsentimental sort of way and build a simple musical monument to a remarkable piece of Australian history. The late Slim Dusty and Stan Coster wrote and sang real songs about and for real Australians, and I had them in mind as I wrote "Beaconsfield". There are no grand plans - I hope this song somehow benefits the community of Beaconsfield. Certainly it seems the song is resonating around Australia... I love how songs do that for us.
Meanwhile, here are the lyrics to have a look at and reconsider an amazing story. And if you want to say "G'day", you can leave me a message here
The LyricsBeaconsfieldWords & Music Colin Buchanan © 2006 Universal Music (Aust.)
1. Way down south in Beaconsfield
Late on Anzac Day
A thousand metres down below
A hundred tons gave way
Fourteen miners scrambled clear
But 17 went down
Fallen rock and twisted steel
3 men down in Beaconsfield
3 men down in Beaconsfield
2. Larry didn’t make it out
They found him two days in
Still no sign of Todd and Brant
Things were looking grim
Come late on Sunday afternoon
Hope was all but dead
Voiced in the dark revealed
2 alive in Beaconsfield
2 alive in Beaconsfield
3. Tears of joy, they’re safe and strong
A miracle from God
Across the town, across the world
Spread word of Brant and Todd
They chatted to their rescuers
Just metres from their cage
Can you send us down a counter meal
From the Club Hotel in Beaconsfield
From the miner’s pub in Beaconsfield
4. That Tassie rock is hard as nails
But the folks are tougher still
Their family were praying
And their mates were on the drill
Freedom clawed its way on
Through the darkness and the dread
They kept their shoulder to the wheel
They breed ‘em tough in Beaconsfield
Breed ‘em tough in Beaconsfield
5. And who’ll forget that moment
When the lads we feared were dead
Stepped out onto the surface
Todd Russell and Brant Webb
They held their loved ones tightly
And moved their tags to “Safe”
Every miner’s face revealed
They are the gold of Beaconsfield
They are the gold of Beaconsfield
And they walked free from Beaconsfield.
Click here to view Goodbye Crocodile Hunter - my Steve Irwin tribute song. |
