23a, Swan Hill

Ian Hunter · Other Songs - Ian Hunter

(ian hunter)



(transcribed by justin purington; corrections by colin ford)



Wrote this poem

Called "the floods roll on"

He said this ain't yours,

Where'd you get it from?

You must have stole it from a book,

Oh yeah

You must have stole it from a book.

'cause you ain't frail

You ain't beautiful,

And I don't fancy you

At all.



You'd be a ruin

If looks could kill

23 a, swan hill



Stiff with rage

Screaming at the sky

Innocence breaks

Says she wants to die

I'm assuming I'm alive

Oh yeah

I'm assuming I'm alive

She pushes and she pulls

My legs go weak

In fascinating terror



The whole world moves

And I'm standing still

In 23a swan hill

And it's always raining

And you never ask why

You never give yourself a shot

You just sit and watch your life go by



Kicking stones

At a still life

Want to pull it down

Slash it slash it

There must be some way out here

There must be some way out here

This ain't right

There must be more to life

Than breaking and entering

Doing people's heads in

Alcohol, nicotine

Thinking what I might have been



You would be a ruin

If looks could kill

23 a, swan hill

And the whole world moves

And I'm standing still

In 23 a, swan hill



And I will

And I will

And I will

And I will

In 23 a, swan hill

(repeat and fade)

23a, Swan Hill

Ian Hunter's "23a, Swan Hill" stands as a defining track from his 2006 album *Overnight Angels*, showcasing his signature blend of punk energy and poetic lyricism. Recorded during a pivotal era in his career, the song reflects Hunter's ability to merge raw, driving rhythms with introspective storytelling. As a key component of his discography, the recording exemplifies the post-punk revival sound that characterized much of his work in the mid-2000s. The track has become a staple of his live performances, demonstrating his enduring influence on the genre and his capacity to craft memorable musical narratives that resonate with audiences across generations.