tales from old and times to be.
Graceful falling silken sheen,
beauty I have finally seen.
Sitting 'neath your elegance
life again seems to make sense.
Liquid lacework waterfall,
this sad heart you do enthrall.
Ellenborough, Ellenborough, spread your arms,
Cypress pine and Cabbage palms.
Mighty 'stands' of Cedar–red
and Tallowwood grew at your head.
Buttressed yellow Carrabeen,
forest wonders you have seen.
Walls of time so steep and grand,
Bulga plateau – Sacred land.
Ellenborough, Ellenborough, cry your tears,
for those long forgotten years.
Ancient tribe–folk tall and free,
worshipped range and rock and tree.
Ghosts of dancers in the night,
ceremonial fire light.
Sacred stories poets make,
for Ulunga – Rainbow Snake.
Ellenborough, Ellenborough, Biripi,
Ngamba and the Worimi.
Native tongue was called Kattang,
language these tribes talked and sang.
North, south, east and west they'd roam,
you, the centre of their home.
From “Saltwater” to your “Falls”,
come the Coo–ees and the calls.
Ellenborough, Ellenborough, I can see,
Birrid tribe, The Wallaby.
Manning river was their home,
all the north side they would roam.
Ginny–Ginny, Mud–crab tribe,
to the south they did abide.
Land of plenty for each clan,
woman, child and every man.
Ellenborough, Ellenborough, Tribal lands,
taken up by foreign hands.
Torn apart by greed and fools,
blood once stained the water pools.
But from ledge and rough ramparts,
blow their songs and beat their hearts.
And tonight I hear it too,
none can touch this love for you.
Ellenborough, Ellenborough, shining face,
memories you can't erase.
washing with eternal love,
beautiful and gentle “Dove”.
Now his spirit comes and sings,
tells you stories and he brings
messages, from far and wide;
Snow–capped peaks to ebbing–tide.
Ellenborough, Ellenborough, Eastern side,
lace spray–sheets upon you ride.
Metres from the water flow,
silken steps from head to toe.
Sparkle in the morning light,
rainbow flash with colours bright.
Falls of beauty and of pain,
healing souls that still remain.
Ellenborough, Ellenborough, tell us how,
lift the Wongi taboo now.
Shower us – both black and white,
hold hands in the morning light.
We will plant two “Crying trees”,
at head and feet the grief to ease.
Give the Coories back again,
sanctuary from the pain.
Ellenborough, Ellenborough, please don't fear,
we will keep your waters clear.
Fluid run in healthy flows,
so your forest heart re–grows.
Graceful, timeless, waterfall,
deep long canyon, wall to wall.
Hearts that care and feel your peace,
run forever – never cease.
Ellenborough, Ellenborough, show the way,
sing of sense not disarray.
Washed by happy dreams again,
life and spirit soaked by rain.
Flowing through the course of time,
constant motion songs of rhyme.
On your journey carry me,
carve new life, sleep in the sea.