South Side Of The River

from Rumblin' Wheel by Dan Hannaford

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about

My Nanna was born out of wedlock now 100 years ago in Grafton (Northern NSW). It was decided that she should be taken to the Southside of Grafton to be raised by the Salvation Army. The song is not only for her but also her mother and the decision she was forced to make. It was originally recorded with a full band but didn't sit right. I was due to fly back home to Australia the next day and I mentioned to Raven (producer) that I'd always heard this song in my head with just piano and vocal. Raven made a call to pianist Will Gramling and it turns out Will just had his grand piano tuned that day. So we drove across town to his house and Will put down his magic. I did the vocal 2hrs before I had to fly out and Mia Bloomfield added the haunting cello a little later.

lyrics

South side of the river

To the mother of my fathers mother

yes I know you’re sleeping

but the streets of Grafton they still echo
the sounds of your weeping

I know things were different in your day

no ring was on your finger

and so the child was sent away

the south side of the river

The father turns the handle round

on the rumour mill

some say “he’s Jack the shearer”

others say “a stockman from Tenterfield”
but this man he don’t matter much
no he’s had his fun and been
no this man he no man at all
‘cos he’s nowhere to be seen


So go on, go on

leave her on the south side of the river
where nobody knows your name

so go on, go on

I wonder if your daughter will remember
as you turn
and walk back to your shame


they say 
“you have got to love your neighbour”
they say 
“mercy triumphs over judgment”

But I’m afraid
on that day

judgement got the better of mercy
judgement got the better of mercy

Now good people can you tell me
is she the one to blame?

either way this bastard child
she has got a name
tell me how does it feel

now the lights have been turned on?

oh you're casting stones at innocence
and she done nothing wrong


So go on, go on

leave her on the south side of the river
where nobody knows your name

so go on, go on

I wonder if your daughter will remember
as you turn
and walk back to your shame

To the mother of my fathers mother
yes I know you’re sleeping

but woman don’t you cry 

you can stop your weeping
lift your head can you see
the one they call redeemer?
just like you
he’s been to
the south side of the river
So go on go on

leave her on the south side of the river...

credits

from Rumblin' Wheel, released February 22, 2024
South Side of the River
(In memory of my Grandmother Helen).

Written and performed by Dan Hannaford.

Produced, engineered & mixed by DAVID RAVEN at ‘honky abbey’ Los Angeles.
DAN HANNAFORD: Vocal
WILL GRAMLING: Piano
MIA BLOOMFIELD: Cello

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Dan Hannaford Byron Bay, Australia

“A rock-solid slab of dusty country and ragged-edged blues, as honest as the day is long, twice as real and raw” – Sydney Morning Herald 2015


“Hannaford channels Bob Dylan and The Felice Brothers with his outlaw blues mojo on overdrive” – Rhythms Magazine 2015 ... more

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