Simple Ben Lyrics Unedited - J J Francis Music

This song was track-2, Side-1 on the 1973 John J. Francis album, ‘Breaks, Works and Thoughts’.
It also featured in the classic Oz surf movie, ‘Morning of the Earth’

CHORUS:
“Just give me sunshine through to Autumn
Sweet snow to the Spring
Corn by the water of an old millstream
And you give me all
You give me all”

Walking on a dusty road
In the countryside
At ease
I heard a song
Drifting on the gently blowing breeze
“Sunshine through to Autumn
Sweet snow to the Spring
Corn by the water of an old millstream
And you give me all
You give me all”

A barrow pushed by a little man
Came rolling from the West
He sang the song as he stepped along
Until we drew abreast

“Why, hello there, my friend
I see you’re on the road here, just like me.
Why don’t we stop and rest, awhile?
I’ll boil a pot of tea.”

He said his name was Simple Ben
But not as I’d believe
Christened for the way he thought
But more the way he lived

“I’ve seen the best
and worst
that we have here on our earth
I finally decided on the things that I give worth”

I asked if he had seen the great jets that fly across the sky?
He said he’s seen the smallest bird learning how to fly

“Have you seen the bridges stretched across the bays?”
“I’ve seen the smallest fish alive dying from the haze”

“Have you seen the massive buildings reaching towards the sun?”
“I’ve seen the fields of barrenness from the work that men have done”

“What about the dams, and weirs, that feed the countryside?”
“I’ve seen the brownness of the grass when the dams and weirs run (dry)”

“What about the fertile lands where nothing once would grow?”
“I’ve seen the lands to the North and South under tons of ice and snow”

“Have you seen the jungles so thick that a man can’t go?”
“I’ve seen a farmer plough a field with nothing but a hoe”

“You must admit, the motor was a boon, to all mankind!”
“The air is sweeter here than a hundred miles behind”

“What about the time we save to go from place to place?”
“I’ve seen my life go by so fast, I scarce recall a face”

“You must have learnt a lot by now about your fellow man?”
“I’ve seen the waves that break upon the beaches made of sand”

“What about the beauty of great art that man has done?”
“I’ve seen the shapes of mountains up against the morning sun”

“Ben, do you believe in God and the words that preachers pray?”
“I’ve seen myself in a still calm pool and I’ve heard a donkey bray”

“Don’t you need the tender warmth of a lady in your bed?”
“I used to know a pretty one who liked the stars above her head”

“Still, – You give me sunshine through to Autumn
Sweet snow to the Spring
Corn by the water of an old millstream
And you give me all
You give me all”

“Friend, thank you for your company but I must be on my way.
The road is growing shorter as the sun sets on my day.
Perhaps we’ll meet again sometime, to rest, and share some tea.
If you hear the song when you’re walking along
You’re going to know who it’s going to be.”

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