The Lyrics

The Lyrics

I've Been Everywhere was written by Geoff Mack, an Australian singer / songwriter.

Mack was born Albert Geoffrey McElhinney in the Melbourne suburb of Surrey Hills in December 1922. He started his musical career while serving as an aircraft mechanic in the RAAF during World War 2. Geoff passed away in 2017 at the age of 94.

He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in Nashville in 1963 and into the Australian Roll of Renown in 2008, and was awarded numerous other awards during his career.

But his biggest claim to fame was creating the music and lyrics of our celebrated song - I've Been Everywhere.

Do any of these towns / suburbs sound like home? If so, we'd love you to register to be a guest on The I've Been Everywhere Project. Please visit the Register page to let us know you are interested.

PS: The towns in red below have already been recorded. If the town is still in black, we need someone!

I've Been Everywhere - Geoff Mack (1959)
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Well, I was humpin’ my bluey on the dusty Oodnadatta road,

When along came a semi with a high and canvas-covered load

“If you’re goin’ to Oodnadatta, mate, um, with me you can ride.”

So I climbed in the cabin and I settled down inside

He asked me if I’d seen a road with so much dust and sand,

I said “Listen, mate, I’ve travelled ev’ry road in this here land.”

Cos “I’ve been everywhere, man

I’ve been everywhere, man

‘Cross the deserts bare, man

I’ve breathed the mountain air, man

Of travel I’ve had my share, man

I’ve been ev’rywhere

I've been to

Tullamore, Seymour, Lismore, Mooloolaba

Nambour, Maroochydore, Kilmore, Murwillumbah

Birdsville, Emmaville, Wallaville, Cunnamulla

Condamine, Strathpine, Proserpine, Ulladulla

Darwin, Gingin, Deniliquin, Muckadilla

Wallumbilla, Boggabilla, Kumbarilla

I’m a killer

“I’ve been everywhere, man

I’ve been everywhere, man

‘Cross the deserts bare, man

I’ve breathed the mountain air, man

Of travel I’ve had my share, man

I’ve been ev’rywhere

I’ve been to Moree, Taree, Jerilderie, Bambaroo

Toowoomba, Gunnedah, Caringbah, Woolloomooloo

Dalveen, Tamborine, Engadine, Jindabyne

Lithgow, Casino, Brigalow and Narromine

Megalong, Wyong, Tuggerawong, Wanganella

Morella, Augathella, Brindabella,

I’m the fella

“I’ve been everywhere, man

I’ve been everywhere, man

‘Cross the deserts bare, man

I’ve breathed the mountain air, man

Of travel I’ve had my share, man

I’ve been ev’rywhere

I’ve been to Wollongong, Geelong, Kurrajong, Mullumbimby

Mittagong, Molong, Grong Grong, Goondiwindi

Yarra Yarra , Bundarra, Wallangarra, Turramurra

Boggabri, Gundagai, Narrabri, Tibooburra

Gulgong, Adelong, Billabong, Cabramatta

Parramatta, Wangaratta, Coolangatta, what’s it matter?

“I’ve been everywhere, man

I’ve been everywhere, man

‘Cross the deserts bare, man

I’ve breathed the mountain air, man

Of travel I’ve had my share, man

I’ve been ev’rywhere

I’ve been to Ettalong, Dandenong, Woodenbong, Ballarat

Canberra, Milperra, Unanderra, Captains Flat

Cloncurry, River Murray, Kurri Kurri, Girraween

Terrigal, Fingal, Stockinbingal, Collaroy and Narrabeen

Bendigo, Dorrigo, Bangalow, Indooroopilly

Kirribilli, Yeerongpilly, Wollondilly,

Don’t be silly

“I’ve been everywhere, man

I’ve been everywhere, man

‘Cross the deserts bare, man

I’ve breathed the mountain air, man

Of travel I’ve had my share, man

I’ve been ev’rywhere

I’ve been here, there, ev’rywhere

I’ve been ev’rywhere

SPOKEN

“Okay, mate, you’ve been ev’ry place except one, and ya don’t need my help t’get there.”

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We are currently researching the rightful owner of the copyright for these lyrics. Once we have found them and received permission to use the lyrics, we will update this page accordingly.