Dale Duncan’s first single in 6 years!
Dale has again teamed up with good mates Manny Vigars and Stuie French to create a piece of music magic and remind us of some forgotten Australian history, bringing insight into the resilience, strength and the grit of the camel drivers or cameleers who worked in the Australian outback from the 1860’s to 1930’s, also known as ‘Ghans’.
More than 120 years ago, men from Afghanistan, historically known as ‘Ghan’s’, left their homeland and families and headed towards the unknown shores of Australia. Their job was to lead camel trains through outback Australia, transporting supplies from cities to regional towns, inland mines and outback stations. Without their contribution, outback communities would not have survived.
This song gives the listener insight to how resilient, strong and gritty these men were. We learn of the dangers that these men had to endure in particular an almighty dust storm, visualising a huge title wave of red ochre in which the world disappeared. Exhausted but still standing, they all pushed onward, these cameleers were tough, resilient and maybe a little crazy, but they gave Australia the lifeline to the outback. They came to Australia with a job to do and they were going to finish that job no matter what.
The camel trains and their hoofprints are now gone and passed and many people today still talk about the great era of the Ghan’s and their camels. They gave Australia the lifeline to the outback. The song concludes by encouraging all of us who love Australia and its history to keep their spirit walking and make sure their courage and endurance forever lives on.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Manfred Vijars and Stuie French.
Produced by Stuie French and Dale Duncan.
Recorded at Swingn’ Door Studios, Nashville and Fat Track Recording Studios, Moore Creek.
“The Grit Of The Ghan” is available now on all platforms.
