Bernie from Night Parrots by Dan Warner

BERNIE

When Bernie came back from the war
He married his best friend’s girl
She was a beauty
From outside Jerilderie
The day Frank had met his destiny
Bernie said he’d keep an eye on her

When Bernie arrived on the quay
He saw Rosanna almost straightaway
Bernie wished he’d died instead
He couldn’t tell Rosanna Frank was dead
Through his tears all Bern had said,
‘It’s me, it’s only me,
Hey it’s me, it’s only me’

Bernie
Picked Frank’s son up in his arms
Bernie
Took Rosie’s hand and walked towards the car
He couldn’t fail to see
A friend’s responsibility
That year before the kid turned three
Bern wed Rosanna in her mum’s backyard
Bern wed Rosanna in her mum’s backyard

The first night that he got home from the plant
With ringing ears and aching in the hands
Bernie knew his die’d been cast
Frank’s boy came running up the path
And to Rosanna in the dark
‘It’s Dad, look Mum it’s Dad
Hey it’s Dad, look Mum it’s Dad’

Bernie
Took on someone else’s life
Bernie
Took Rosanna for his wife
First day he loved her
And each day loved her stronger
But each night Bernie wondered,
Did Rose love him or only love Frank’s child?

When Bernie’s wars had all been lost and won
And even young Frank grown up and gone
That night when he got into bed
He knew exactly what his life had meant
Rosie kissed his cheek and said,
‘Hey Bern, you know I loved you all along
Hey Bern, you know I loved you all along’

‘Bernie’
A voice calls in the night
‘Bernie
I can’t breathe, please turn on the light’
Bernie
Pulls Rosanna to his chest
‘Bernie
You were never second best’

She was a beauty
From outside Jerilderie
He was just Bernie
‘It’s me, it’s only me
Hey it’s me, it’s only me, Rosanna
It’s me, it’s only me
Hey it’s me, it’s only me’

• Country-rock
• Folk
• Rock
• rhythm & blues
• Melbourne