Oxley Pearls

Shining silver gleaming white
Dainty, pearl from way down south
The Riverina, the Lachlan gleam
Pearls passed down through worth and drouth
From bronzed brown plains, and saltbush heath
Where eagles lonely fly
These pearls of mine, from Oxley’s keep

From open roads, grids and sheep
Those precious stones from Gran to me
I wear them proudly and I show, that Oxley will forever be my own
Worn through droving, worn through shearing worn through highs and lows
These milky, worthless stones to those who do not know
Of their beauty and their pricelessness
The memories of which they hold

Worn as an emblem of time
A montage of laughter and tears
Life lived like a mime of history
The eyes of those I love and fear
Some things remain a mystery
I hope I can unfold
Yet, to this day I stay untold

The love and the sufferings
These burnished whites do hide
Beneath their whispered stillness
A portrait of life they’ve spied
Won by many woman
Perhaps not any men
But then, I guess I’ll never know
Until we meet again

My Gran, these pearl studs from you
The love you’ve shown me through
The sun, the moon, the sky
You shone bright like the twinkling night sky
And when I glance at far off clouds
I’m reminded of the fact
That your love was and is like an infinite vow

When I were to glance at you
I’d see your splendour through and through
Your beauty and your gentleness
In all things you would do
These earrings are sweet and dear
I know that my gran is always near
In these pearls, of mine from Oxley’s keep

Oxley pearls, Gran’s stories told
Through these things
My life will mould
It’s hard to see
The path in front of me
My dreams, my hopes, my future
These pearls from Gran to me

The love and the sufferings
These burnished whites do hide
Beneath their whispered stillness
A portrait of life they’ve spied
Won by many woman
Perhaps not any men
But then, I guess I’ll never know
Until we meet again