Island Fever (Paradise Found?)

Written in Australia in commemoration of the time spent on Heron Island, a veritable paradise.

Words and music by David. Harmony vocals by Kristen. Background vocals by the OSP Australia Singers. This version was recorded live on a single mic in Brisbane, Australia.



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Well they say Heron Island is paradise found
White sands and clear waters of blue
But two weeks at a place fifteen minutes around
And it starts to do something to you
Well the island is nice but I’m sure you’ll agree
You begin to feel trapped by the encircling sea
And all I can think is I have to get free!
And we all have island fever!

I’m coated with salt and a layer of grit
With a gift from the Noddy on top
And I can’t even sleep to escape all of it
‘Cause those Shearwaters won’t bloody stop
Don’t try to take milk, ‘cause you know that she sees
And you’ll only get seconds if you beg on your knees
Now the fury is on for the thief of the cheese
And we all have island fever!

Well the work wakes us up and goes late through the night
As we research our topics of choice
Running transects and braving the coral’s sharp bite,
When it’s over we all will rejoice
All those green algae cells soon will be my demise
Coral bleaches and dies but I can’t sympathize
If I do one more count then I’ll gouge out my eyes
And we all have island fever!

O why do we care about coral and the like
When Ove tells us they’re not going to stay?
Rising CO2 levels and temperature spikes
Mean the end of the world’s on its way
Well, the coral is fine and the water is clear
But with this global warming they’ll soon disappear
All that’s good in the world… will be gone by next year
And we all have island fever!

And the worst of it is being packed like sardines
All into a tiny bunk room
What friendship will last still remains to be seen
But this island spells impending doom
Well I’m sick of the mess and the smell and the fuss
And I need some escape from this crowd we call “us”
And right after this we’re all stuck on a bus
And we all have island fever!

Well the island is nice but I’m sure you’ll agree
You begin to feel trapped by the encircling sea
And all I can think is I have to get free!
And we all have island fever!

Yes, we all have island fever!