He is happy to acknowledge that his song “The Cootamundra Wattle” has assisted in promoting both the tree and the town.

John wasn’t surprised to learn that when I hear ‘Cootamundra Wattle’ it gives me goosebumps and brings a tear to my eye.

“That is a common response!” he said.

And the inspiration behind the song?

When his two daughters were young, maybe four and five years old respectively, John found his wife Mary Kay looking through the children’s baby clothes as she reminisced about her babies, and placed them in a chest for safe keeping.

John found that the words came easily and, with the Cootamundra Wattle such a comforting memory, it was an

obvious inclusion.

Musically speaking, John has endeavoured to create a quintessential Australian sound, making use of the

didgeridoo and specially tuning his guitar to get the sound ‘just right’.

A true musician, John finds inspiration in all things Australian, including the rhythm of rushing floodwaters.

“I like to describe what it is to be an Australian – I never want to lose contact with that,” John said.

“People like to hear traditional country music, but I like to have something that is completely my own.”

Last week in Canberra, John visited Dick Smith’s

property to meet with commissioners and other dignitaries to discuss negotiations to work on a project with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

“It won’t be typical country stuff” said John, “and I’m really hoping it comes about.”

John made comment of his musical daughter Ami’s

inclusion on his latest album.

“She does a fantastic rendition of ‘Trucker’s Wife’ “ says John. “Ami has a style of her own which is hard to

pigeonhole”.

Kasey Chambers performs her rendition of Cootamundra Wattle, along with other artists who have volunteered their time and talent, including Wendy Matthews, The Waifs, James Reyne, Troy Cassar-Daley, Tommy Emmanuel, Adam Harvey, Sara and Greg Storer and The Songbirds (Gina Jeffreys, Beccy Cole and Sara Storer).

The album release comes on the back of the musical poet being recognised in January by the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, as well as the Golden Guitar awards which paid

special tribute to Williamson’s career to date in front of a 5000 strong capacity crowd and broadcast nationally on TV.

Whilst the duet with Noll is the only new inclusion on the “Absolute Best of John Williamson: 40 Years True Blue” release, John adds star power to the tribute album with his emotional delivery of ‘Galleries of Pink Galahs’, the song played at his father’s funeral.

COOTAMUNDRA WATTLE

Words and Music by John Williamson© 1986 EMUSIC PTY LTD

Don’t go lookin’ through that old camphor box woman,

You know those old things only make you cry.

When you dream upon that little bunny rug

It makes you think that life has passed you by

There are days when you wish the world would stop woman,

But then you know some wounds would never heal

But when I browse the early pages of the children

It’s then I know exactly how you feel.

Hey it’s July and the winter sun is shining

And the Cootamundra wattle is my friend

For all at once my childhood never left me

‘Cause wattle blossoms bring it back again

It’s Sunday and you should stop the worry woman,

Come out here and sit down in the sun

Can’t you hear the magpies in the distance?

Don’t you feel the new day has begun?

Can’t you hear the bees making honey woman,

In the spotted gums where the bellbirds ring?

You might grow old and bitter cause you missed it,

You know some people never hear such things

Hey it’s July and the winter sun is shining

And the Cootamundra wattle is my friend

For all at once my childhood never left me

‘Cause wattle blossoms bring it back again

Don’t buy the daily papers any more woman,

Read all about what’s going on in hell.

They don’t care to tell the world of kindness,

Good news never made a paper sell.

There’s all the colours of the rainbow in the garden woman,

And symphonies of music in the sky.

Heaven’s all around us if you’re looking,

But how can you see it if you cry.

Hey it’s July and the winter sun is shining

And the Cootamundra wattle is my friend

For all at once my childhood never left me

‘Cause wattle blossoms bring it back again.