[Verse 1]
E                      A
You were already here, when I appeared,
B                       E
Then sister came along, how very dear.
E                           A
And we found ourselves in Plympton town.
B                                       E
Grew up for a while, then a new life we found.
E                  A
Headed off to the Blue Lake city, saw some
B                                  E
forests, caves, lumber yards and archery
E                        A              B
A motor bike and some surgery, Missy Cooper,
B                        E
Pop and lots of happy memories.

[Chorus 1]
A                              G#m    
Once in a while we would see you smile
     F#m                       G#m
We’d hear you laugh, in your lonesome style
A                          G#m
Once in a while, every now and then,
F#m                                  E
You’d be on your bike, and you were gone again.

[Verse 2]
E                    A
Johnny Martins magic cave
B                             E
10 years old you were rather brave
E                                    A
Or you’d just had enough, decisions made.
B                                      E
“Think Ill walk home, now what was the way?
E                                      A
North Tce, looks right, think I’ll head east
B                                   E
Kent Town, Stepney, up past Sydenham street
E                              A
Ahh,  I can see the Adelaide Hills,
B                              E
Surely I can’t be too far from Magill.
E                             A
“This street looks familiar”, to me there all similar
      B                             E
And in through the dogs door you crawled.
E                           A
Meanwhile back in town, the three of us frowned.
B                             E
And thats when we decided to call.
E                            A
A young voice did answer, expecting our father.
B                          E
In disbelief questions abound.
E                             A
Who gave you directions? “Hey where’s the affection.”
B                                    E
Still not sure how you made it that far???

[Chorus 2]
A                         G#m
Once in a while we would see you smile
F#m                           A
We’d hear you laugh, in your lonesome style
A                         G#m
Once in a while, every now and then,
F#m                                  E
You’d be on your way, you were gone again.

[Verse 3]
E                      A
Kosiosko up through Kancoban
B                                            E
Blew a push rod in the kombi round the great Hay Plain,
E                              A
Summer nights and we’d play cricket,
B                        E
You’d change the rules, I’d stand wicket..
E                            A
Rode our bikes through cracks in the gutter
B                           E
Aunty Di and popcorn with melted butter.
E                             A
Lego Jets, the carpet, you’d pick it.
B                              E
Can’t forget Mum and Dad. and Tammy would lick it.

[Chorus 4]
A                          G#m
Once in a while we would see you smile
F#m                           A
We’d hear you laugh, in your lonesome style.
A                          G#m
Once in a while, every now and then
F#m                               E
You’d close the door, and you were gone again.


[Verse 5]
E                           A
We have to grow older, and memories get blurry
B                           E
The 3 of us started our separate journeys.
E                         A
Plumbing came and plumbing went
B                             E
With trenches, glue and wet cement.
E                                A
You started to work making sprinklers from plastic
B                                        E
Then sales took over, which seemed quite dramatic.
E                                        A
So you headed out west selling beads to the pilgrims
B                                   E
And start a fresh life, with nappies and milk runs.
E                          A
Motorbikes, girls and fast cars too,
B                          E
Left so much out in this song for you.
E                        A
Reflecting back on your 60 years
B                               E
Your life isn’t what it always appears.
E                                A
I’ve never really heard you complain
B                              E
Even though I’ve seen you in pain.
E                             A
And when you had a goal to complete.
B                                       E
Its consumed you until there’s reward or defeat.


[Chorus 5]
A                           G#m
Once in a while we would see you smile
F#m                            A
We’d hear you laugh, in your lonesome style
A                             G#m
Every now and then you’d come out of your den
F#m                              E
And you would pack your bags, then you were gone again.
A                            G#m
Once in a while we would see you smile
F#m                           A
We’d hear you laugh, in your lonesome style
A                       G#m
Once in a while, every now and then,
F#m                                  E
You would hug your Mum, then you were gone again…