Christmas Outside Sydney

I walked down all the dark lanes to the lights beyond the hill
Where all that glitters is not gold, just the ringing of the Christmas bell
I found a clearing, there was no snow, the brittle ground was dry
Blackened by an ancient fire from the last days of July

It's Christmas outside Sydney, the rails bend in the heat
Chariots glide on silver wheels and beat a last retreat

And overhead on wings and prayers, prayers and wings
Coloured quick and black and white, ascending as they sing
Then at once the silence fell, there was no sacred host
Just eucalypt and barbed wire tangled on a fence post

It's Christmas outside Sydney, the rails bend in the heat
Chariots glide on silver wheels and beat a last retreat

I wandered to a market there, the sun was getting low
And dreams survived the half light, tinsel, foil and mistletoe
I drew a breath and walked from there, and walked from there again
And thought about the ink and sky and last moment with a friend

It's Christmas outside Sydney, the rails bend in the heat
Chariots glide on silver wheels and beat a last retreat