Tenterfield saddler
Olivia Newton-John · (2): Duets [2002]
Worked on High Street
And lived on manors
52 years he sat on his veranda
And made his saddles
and if you had questions
About sheep or flowers or dogs
You just ask the saddler
He lived without sin
They're building a library for him
Time is a traveller
Tenterfield Saddler turn your head
Ride again Jackaroo
Think I see kangaroo up ahead
The son of George Woolnough
Went off and got married
And had a war baby
But something was wrong
And it's easier to drink than go crazy
And if there were questions about why
The end was so sad
Well George had no answers about why a son
Ever have need of a gun
Time is a traveller
Tenterfield Saddler turn your head
Ride again Jackaroo
Think I see kangaroo up ahead
The grandson of George
Has been all around the world
And lives in no special place
Changed his last name
And he married a girl with an interesting face
He'd almost forgotten them both
Because in the life that he leads
There's nowhere for George
And his library
Or the son with his gun
To belong
Except in this song
Time is a traveller
Tenterfield Saddler turn your head
Ride again Jackaroo
Think I see kangaroo up ahead
Time is a medler
Tenterfield saddler make your bed
Fly away cockatoo
Down on the ground emu up ahead
Time is a tale teller
Tenterfield saddler turn your head
Ride again Jackaroo
Think I see kangaroo up ahead
Time is a tale teller
Tenterfield saddler turn your head
Ride again Jackaroo
Think I see kangaroo up ahead
Tenterfield Saddler
Olivia Newton-John's rendition of 'Tenterfield Saddler' stands as a poignant tribute to a classic Australian folk ballad. Originally written by John Williamson, the song captures the quiet dignity of a saddler in the small town of Tenterfield, reflecting on a life of simple labor and enduring love. Newton-John's interpretation, featured on her 2002 collection Duets, showcases her ability to convey deep emotion through understated vocal delivery. Her performance highlights the narrative strength of the composition, emphasizing themes of resilience and the passage of time. This recording remains a significant song in her extensive discography, demonstrating her versatility beyond pop and country crossover hits. The track serves as a reminder of her enduring connection to Australian musical traditions, offering listeners a moment of reflection on the human condition through a timeless story.