colin buchanan - Goodbye Crocodile Hunter

There is a stack of media around covering the death of Steve Erwin.  It does seem over the top a little for a man that the makority of people did not know.  However Colin Buchanan has posted a tribute on his site that is fitting and more appropriate.

 

I wrote this song on September 5th, 2006, the day after "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin's tragic death.  Like everyone else, I was shocked by the news.  "Not the Croc Hunter - must be a mistake."  He's cheated death so many times, survived near misses with crocs and snakes and a multitude of deadly creatures - surely he couldn't have died after a stouche with a mere stingray...  It was the sort of news that sends you to the internet or TV or radio to make sure it isn't just a rumour.  But it was true.  Around midday on September 4th, Steve suffered a fatal chest injury after being hit by the tail spike of a bull stingray.

Funny thing is, I'm not sure I would've called myself a fan.  I'd occasionally watched Steve's TV docos and seen him as a guest on various TV shows, but the impact of his death took me by surprise.  Of course I was sad for his wife and family and close friends, but something deeper than the "Crikey!" theatrics and daredevil exploits seemed to resonate within.  A mere celebrity he wasn't.  This bloke was a really decent man.  A lover of his wife and family, a lover and ardent protector of creation, a passionate and successful dreamer and achiever, a fiercely proud ambassador for his beloved Australia.  As the tears have welled around our house over the last couple of days, more than once we've said, "It's just so sad."  

I've always appreciated the fact that a song can play a part in the collective experience of dramatic events.  In years gone by, the balladeer and the minstrel were, in some way , the newspaper of their day.  I felt the urge to add my personal, tribute to the Crocodile Hunter.  Nothing grand - probably just my musical version of the makeshift, homemade signs that have appeared on fences and bridges around Australia.  Take it and share it with anyone you think might find it helpful.

I never met Steve Irwin, but my heartfelt sympathy goes to his loved ones. And along with so many Australians (many of whom, like me, may have been taken by surprise by the depth of their sense of loss), we mourn the passing of a Good Man.  Australia and the world is the poorer without him.

Colin

Colin has also penned a song in memory of "The Crocidile Hunter.  Visit Colin's site to listen and download the tribute. 

Link to colin buchanan - Goodbye Crocodile Hunter