My father cast a shadow over me As it was So it shall be You're the final result In a very long line You shall carry the mark Handed down over time As it was So it shall be As it was So it shall be And I didn't move Til my Daddy said "Now say your prayers And off to bed" Now my mother was all kisses and smiles "Don't be scared, don't be frightened my child" She looked at my hands, my fingers, my thumb Said "There are some things that cannot be undone" As it was So it shall be As it was So it shall be And I didn't move Til my Mamma said "Now say your prayers And off to bed" So I met you on the banks of the Merri Creek In the hills, in the heat You took off my clothes Painted my face Taught me the words Showed me the way As it was So it shall be As it was So it shall be And I didn't move Til you said "Now say your prayers And off to bed" Now I'm down to the bones of my youth But my body's still got the tattoos I'll never be lost I know where to begin I carry a map of it all on my skin As it was So it shall be As it was So it shall be...