Ian F Ball - Folk Singer, Musician, Writer & Multi Instrumentalist

Lyrics

John Phillips he was a simple man, a wife two loving sons
He swore that he'd be rich one day, before his days were done
So he packed a bag, kissed his wife goodbye, told his sons look after your ma
Then he walked away, down country lanes, bound for Australia

He signed onboard in Liverpool, twelve weeks hard graft at sea
Then overland for eighteen days, to reach his destiny
With a mule packed high upon its back, tent, pick, shovel and pan
And a note, kept safe inside his shirt, his claim upon the land

All that glitters is not gold, John Phillips, said his wife
The grass is never greener John, it's not worth your life
Don't worry my love, John Phillips he said, I'll come back when I can
And its then you'll think the better of me, for I'll be a wealthy man

He worked for others through the day, to keep himself well fed
Then pan at night by candlelight, no time to rest his head
After sixteen months with nought to show, he was down by the water race
When a glint in the pan it caught his eye and a smile came on his face

In all this time, his wife at home only ever received one note
I'm safe and well and working hard was all John Phillips wrote
Then a letter arrived, all grubby and torn, she knew it was from John
It said I've hit paydirt, don't worry my love, I'll be home before too long

All that glitters is not gold, John Phillips, said his wife
The grass is never greener John, it's not worth your life
Don't worry my love, John Phillips he said, I'll come back when I can
And its then you'll think the better of me, for I'll be a wealthy man

One Sunday morning, after church, when they were walking home
The boys were playing catch and chase, their ma walked on her own
A stranger sitting in the shade looked up and gave a laugh
He said come here, she said no fear, you stink and need a bath

She knew straight 'way that it was John, though his beard was thick and grey
She looked him in the eye and said "I hope you're back to stay"
"I've bought the farm John told his wife, with land and stock to keep"
Then he kissed her salty tear stained face as began began to weep

All that glitters is not gold, there's more precious things in life
He held his sons so tightly then danced gaily with his wife
Down the road and through the gate to the farm that they now owned
All laughing, smiling, knowing that they'd never want for more
All laughing, smiling, knowing that they'd never want for more