On the west Australian goldfields down Kalgoorlie streets so wide
I walked one night and felt as though the past was by my side
The city lights were fading and as I stood awhile
A thousand candles seemed to shine across the golden mile
The clutter of a thousand tents before me on the field
Picks and shovels laid around that worked the golden yield
And diggers passed before me in a moving shifting file
Their faces turned towards me ghosts of the golden mile
[Instrumental]
And someone stood beside me and he watched the moving throng
He said it's getting crowded here I think I'll move along
His beard was grey and dusty on his face was not a smile
Paddy Hannan was a quiet man, he opened the golden mile
And then I watched a camel team come swaying down the track
With precious loads of water casks strapped across their backs
The Afghan targ Mahommad told of new strikes all the while
His turban such a friendly sight along the golden mile
[Instrumental]
Oh I wish those men could see again these busy streets today
And hear the giant crushers as the mine works roar away
Kalgoorlie speaks of history and it keeps their memories live
And they'll never be forgotten, ghosts of the golden mile
Oh they'll never be forgotten, ghosts of the golden mile
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From "The Slim Dusty Heritage Album"
I walked one night and felt as though the past was by my side
The city lights were fading and as I stood awhile
A thousand candles seemed to shine across the golden mile
The clutter of a thousand tents before me on the field
Picks and shovels laid around that worked the golden yield
And diggers passed before me in a moving shifting file
Their faces turned towards me ghosts of the golden mile
[Instrumental]
And someone stood beside me and he watched the moving throng
He said it's getting crowded here I think I'll move along
His beard was grey and dusty on his face was not a smile
Paddy Hannan was a quiet man, he opened the golden mile
And then I watched a camel team come swaying down the track
With precious loads of water casks strapped across their backs
The Afghan targ Mahommad told of new strikes all the while
His turban such a friendly sight along the golden mile
[Instrumental]
Oh I wish those men could see again these busy streets today
And hear the giant crushers as the mine works roar away
Kalgoorlie speaks of history and it keeps their memories live
And they'll never be forgotten, ghosts of the golden mile
Oh they'll never be forgotten, ghosts of the golden mile
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From "The Slim Dusty Heritage Album"