I would love a Port Lincoln-based performer to grab this song and toss it into the ether with their own spin on it because this “Lincoln ritual” is a unique thing that deserves a local voice.
But let’s start at the beginning. This is a fairytale love song about Port Lincoln “girl”, Nicole, and Adelaide “boy”, Greg, who meet in Port Lincoln after Greg set off from Adelaide one day and just pedalled west to find himself. He found love instead. These characters are my in-laws and their union is why our family travels to Port Lincoln every second year to celebrate Christmas, typically on the Marina.
However, I have taken some poetic licence to weave their true story with the magic of the Tunarama Festival, a 60+ year old event that celebrates the “tossing of the tuna”, which fishers of old did when returning each day with their catch. This festival in January has tuna tossing as its main attraction, along with parades, the blessing of the fleet, and “all the fun of the fair”.
As it happens, I have attended Tunarama once in my life, at age two and a half. It was a sweltering summer and apparently we drove back, in an non-air-conditioned car in 114 degree weather. I’m nothing, if not tough!
Legend has it that common sayings heard throughout Tunarama weekend include, “best tosser I know” and “give a toss”, so I had to match these lyrics with a similarly quirky and playful tune.
And a hat tip to the people at The Fresh Fish Place in Port Lincoln. I met them when I was over running marketing workshops and doing mentoring with small businesses, and they’ve always had a soft spot in my heart.
PS Some songwriting notes. I originally structured this as a song with each verse having a refrain to channel the story a little more finely before the chorus. But as I started listening to the various song drafts I was producing, I realised it was getting in the way of the flow and that would be in contrast to the laid back, easygoing nature of Port Lincoln, especially in summer during Tunarama. So, I broke the elements up, and created the three verse, one bridge structure. It definitely nailed the aesthetic I was heading for, which was to try to capture a Lincoln vibe. Enjoy.
Tunarama Love Song Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Nicole went to North Beach, to watch the sun go down
It was deep in summer, her skin was summer brown
Meanwhile Greg was pedalling, and he was heading west
After weeks of riding, he needed time to rest
Neither saw it coming, that here on Boston Bay
They would meet each other, but in the strangest way
[Chorus]
Toss, toss, toss … throw, throw, throw
It’s a ritual in Lincoln … if you know, you know
Throw, throw, throw … toss, toss, toss
If you’ve never tossed a tuna … it’s your loss!
[Verse 2]
The tent on the foreshore, is where he went for shade
Signed up to toss tuna, as Greg from Adelaide
When he was next in line, to give his fish a hurl
His effort caught the eye, of a beautiful girl
And as she turned away, to measure up his throw
She smiled and said to him, you’re the best tosser I know
[Chorus]
Toss, toss, toss … throw, throw, throw
It’s a ritual in Lincoln … if you know, you know
Throw, throw, throw … toss, toss, toss
If you’ve never tossed a tuna … it’s your loss!
[Verse 3]
After that encounter, this guy just hung around
‘Cause Lincoln was a place, where he could settle down
Then at the Fresh Fish Place, to get the daily catch
Their seafood addiction, confirmed their perfect match
Who knew that our fishers, and their iconic toss
Would one day set the scene, for our lovers’ paths to cross?
[Chorus]
Toss, toss, toss … throw, throw, throw
It’s a ritual in Lincoln … if you know, you know
Throw, throw, throw … toss, toss, toss
If you’ve never tossed a tuna … it’s your loss!
[Bridge]
She didn’t need to hook his gills, or tie him up with rope
He was gone, head over heels, from the very first throw
So if you are in Port Lincoln, on Tunarama day
Sign up to toss the tuna, don’t miss the one who got away
[Chorus]
Toss, toss, toss … throw, throw, throw
It’s a ritual in Lincoln … if you know, you know
Throw, throw, throw … toss, toss, toss
If you’ve never tossed a tuna … it’s your loss!
Listen To Tunarama Love Song
Tunarama Love Song Scratchings
