Sweetest Thing Lyrics - Van Diemen's Land - Russell Morris

V1: At the first light of dawn, working in the sun all day 

Swinging that hump and a chop came down, covered in soot and stain 

Smoke fills the Queensland sky, and the red fire sings 

(chorus) Run that flame, to the sugar-cane, Is the sweetest thing 

V2: Black bird of souls, will never be the same again 

Once they took in the middle of the night, who can know their pain 

From sun-up to sun-down, I still hear them sing 

(chorus) Run that flame, to the sugar-cane, Is the sweetest thing 

(bridge) Smoke and haze, swallowing the sun 

Cash and play, a rain has come 

Children of the islands, living out their days 

North from South, black bird has came 

(solo) 

V3: Old folks remember, the bitter sweet days gone by 

The Bundaberg news pumping it out, running all day and night 

Some staunchy lady, waiting to toast the cane 

(chorus) Run that flame, to the sugar-cane, Is the sweetest thing 

(chorus) Run that flame, to the sugar-cane, Is the sweetest thing