Lyrics
Mmm Mmm
Shirley was born in winter light Twenty-fifth of July Nineteen thirty-six came softly Under a changing sky
A Gemmill girl with Scottish grace Kindness in her hands A gentle heart a steady way The kind that understands
Ron was Dixon English stock Tough and kind and true Thirteen years ahead in time But his heart came home to you
Both their fathers came home from war Carrying what they'd seen And passed down strength in quiet ways Through all the years between
You were the heart of home The kettle warm the light left on From Dixon hands and Gemmill grace You gave us roots you gave us place
And all the roads we've taken Still lead back to you To the kindness in your kitchen And the love that carried through
You married Ron in fifty-seven Built a life by hand Wood stove glowing in the kitchen Work the young may not understand
Copper boiling for the washing Chooks out in the yard Milk came home inside a billy Nothing easy nothing fast
Preserves were lined up in the pantry Meals were made with care And somehow there was always room For one more soul in there
You were the heart of home The kettle warm the light left on From Dixon hands and Gemmill grace You gave us roots you gave us place
And all the roads we've taken Still lead back to you To the kindness in your kitchen And the love that carried through
You read the notes you played piano Sang with a lovely voice Local plays and music nights You gave the town your joy
First came life at twenty-one Three by twenty-seven You raised three children through the years And gave them all your heaven
A mother's work was quiet then But nothing small was done You built the ground beneath our feet You shaped the lives we won
Ron worked hard with worn-out hands A good man to the core He gave his strength until he could And then he gave no more
Two thousand four took him away But not the love you made Some vows live on beyond the years Some lights do not fade
You played netball sailed the water Golf and bowls as well Worked the op shop poured the tea And had a yarn to tell
Mallacoota knew your name In that easy country way A chat a smile a cup of tea Could brighten someone's day
There were walks beside the lake And beach tracks in the sun Betka lookout sea wind rising Slow steps just for fun
Those days have softened into memory But they have not gone cold They live in every story told And every hand we hold
You were the heart of home The kettle warm the light left on From Dixon hands and Gemmill grace You gave us roots you gave us place
And all the roads we've taken Still lead back to you To the kindness in your kitchen And the love that carried through
You are the heart of home The quiet strength we've always known Ninety years of love and light Still shining warm tonight
So here's to Shirley loved by all With family gathered near For every song and cup of tea For every precious year
Mmm The heart of home
Happy birthday Mum