I was born and raised on steel river
I see it all like it was yesterday
The ships and bridges they were all delivered

From Sydney harbour to the Cisco bay
And I met my love down on steel river
We served our dreams and spent our childhood days

In rainy streets we'd kiss away the shivers
And hide from fear inside the latest craze
Dancing to Motown

Making love with Carole King record playing
And oh how I loved you
Say goodbye steel river


Ten thousand bombers hit the steel river
And many died to keep her running free

And she survived but now she's gone forever
Her burning heart is just a memory
And I ran away from life on steel river

Luck or not I gladly took the break
The odds were low the chances nearly zero
A chance it was I had to take

Say goodbye steel river

They say that salmon swim in steel river

They say it's good to see them back again
I know it hurts to see what really happened
I know one salmon ain't no good to them

They were born and raised to serve their steel mother
It was they taught and all they ever knew
And they believed that she would keep their children

Even though not a single word was true
Say goodbye steel river