Semaphore Songs Project - Semaphore Music Festival 2015

My involvement in the Semaphore Songs Project for 2015 began with a minor degree of disaster and ended with one the most beautiful afternoons with family and friends at the RSL in Semaphore rd.  I'd decided to compose something about Port Adelaide; partly because the place resonated with me greatly.  With very little pre-conception of the place I found a beauty and a link between the heritage area and the humble geranium I saw growing cheerfully in various streets.  To me it felt like there was a resilience, tenacity, endurance and toughness shared by both parties.  It became very obvious to me, after losing all my recordings by accident, that these two were very much more entwined that just geographically.

I also chose a waltz rhythm for the song, so as to bring a little history in as well.  With John Baker's guidance (mentor) I was able to weave a little of my own life into the song as well.  Out home where I was born often the only plant that grew in the harsh conditions was the humble geranium.  It seems to revel in hardship and withstands a great deal from the extremes of nature.

Can you see how much Port Adelaide and the geraniums here want you to come visit?

So, here are the lyrics to the song:

Tough As Geranium

See the colourful geranium

living there on the street

humble, in its earthiness

like a sailor song, so sweet

On the streets of Port Adelaide

Where once lived a bustling trade

Though it's gone, I feel it around me

History, it surrounds me

And I hear

Where are you going?

Hey don't walk on by

Did somebody tell you

That I have died

Just like the geranium, I will survive

I'm tough as geranium

There's five lovely petals, on each little flower

That remind me of times, with my grandmother

On the rough dusty plains, in outback Australia

In hardship and drought, we all stuck together

Just like the flower, it's vibrant to see

The buildings stand tall, with dignity

I just wish that old reputation could be

Banished forever, tipped over the quay.

so we ask

Where are you going?

Hey don't walk on by

Did somebody tell you

That I have died

Just like the geranium, I will survive

I'm tough as geranium

Where are you going?

Hey don't walk on by

Did somebody tell you

That I have died

Just like the geranium, I will survive

I'm tough as geranium

Tough as geranium

I will survive, cos I'm tough as geranium

©S.V.Hutchinson2015