King Billy March

[Verse 1]
From the mists of ancient rivers,
Where the gum trees guard the light,
Rises Billy, crowned in splendor,
Sovereign of the day and night.
Feathered feet and royal bill,
He walks with quiet, steady grace,
He commands the realm of Twohig,
Biggs, and every sacred place.

[Pre-Chorus]
Hear the water name him king,
Hear the blue hills answer back,
Every reed leans low to greet him,
Every tide remembers that.

[Chorus]
Bow to King Billy,
Mighty and grand,
Lord of every ripple,
Ruler of the land.
Bow to King Billy,
Let the whole world sing,
By river, hearth, and moonlight,
Hail the aquatic king.

[Verse 2]
When the winter winds come kneeling,
He still keeps the shallows warm,
Slip of gold through blackened water,
Calm before the coming storm.
On the banks the children gather,
Watching for the silver flash,
And the oldest hands still whisper,
"There goes Billy, swift as ash."

[Pre-Chorus]
Hear the water name him king,
Hear the blue hills answer back,
Every reed leans low to greet him,
Every tide remembers that.

[Chorus]
Bow to King Billy,
Mighty and grand,
Lord of every ripple,
Ruler of the land.
Bow to King Billy,
Let the whole world sing,
By river, hearth, and moonlight,
Hail the aquatic king.

[Bridge]
From the fern and from the stone,
From the creek-bed, cold and deep,
He lifts the hush of Tasmanian dawn,
He wakes the land from sleep.
So raise your voice, the current rolls,
Let every echo ring,
For the humble heart that wears the crown,
Long live Billy, king of spring.

[Final Chorus]
Bow to King Billy,
Mighty and grand,
Lord of every ripple,
Ruler of the land.
Bow to King Billy,
Let the whole world sing,
By river, hearth, and moonlight,
Hail the aquatic king.