Charcoal Annie (song)

Written and sung by Jim Low
Murray River
a bend in the Murray River
Charcoal Annie’s moving down the track
Dear old Annie’s got a heavy sack
It’s full of charcoal which she burnt to sell
And the blacksmith will buy it for it burns so well

Charcoal Annie’s living all alone
Charcoal Annie doesn’t have a home
The sky’s her ceiling and the grass her floor
And when she sells her charcoal she’ll make some more

Chorus:
Charcoal Annie’s moving down the track
Dear old Annie’s got a heavy sack
She loves the bush and her life so free
And if you see old Annie, wish her well for me.

Her deep, sad eyes tell of sorrow and pain
Where is her family, will she see them again?
Was there someone who told her lies?
Oh what is the story that haunts those eyes?

chorus

Down on the river more wood she burns
She won’t raise camp till the season turns
She loves the bush and her life so free
And if you see old Annie, wish her well for me

© Jim Low

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