Min River - Winner of the 2025 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

Jiang Lin and Alexis Loison

Double handed team, Jiang Lin and Alexis Loison sailed Min River (JPK 1030) into the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race record books when they were declared the overall winner of the 2025 race. Min River is the first double handed yacht to win the race and Jiang Lin is the first female skipper to win the coveted Tattersall Cup in the 80 year history of the great race. 

 

Min River crossed the finish line on the 30th December 2025 and the race result was declared the following day. I am an enthusiastic double handed yacht owner, skipper and club racer myself and I was very happy with the race result.

 

Writing Min River

Late on New Year’s Eve, not many hours after the race result was known, I noticed myself singing "For Min River, I cried...." I reached for my guitar at the first opportunity and started to write this song. This songwriting moment was pure magic to me, I was writing through the eyes of Jiang Lin. The lyrics and melody appeared quickly and I was feeling quite pleased with myself.

 

In the studio

The following day, I enjoyed musing with my new song and I thought "I'd like folks to hear this one." Into the studio I went, boots and all, arranging, recording and creating a music video for Min River. The hours turn into days when I work on a project like this. There was many a candle burning in my house at 2am, when the town was quiet and I am able to do my best work.

On Monday 12th January I was ready to release Min River to the world. My long term online music distributor, CDBaby, was brilliant. Within hours of selecting the "go" button my song was available on download and streaming platforms everywhere. I released the music video the following day.

 

Debuting Min River at Clancy's Fish Pub Fremantle,
on the day of the song’s release

It’s been a wild ride releasing this song so soon after first musing over the lyrics, “For Min River, I cried...”

Min River

Chorus

For Min River, I cried, for Min River, I tried,
Until the changing tide, changed our lives forever.
 
Just you and me, just two of us on this journey,
Endless days of wind and sea
Is all we need to set us free.
 
Chorus
 
We hope you’re alright,
We hope you sleep well at night.
Rest your worn hands, your tired minds,
Until the next start line.
 
Chorus
 
Chorus
For Min River, I cried, for Min River, I tried,
Until the changing tide, changed our lives,
changed our lives, forever.

 
Copyright   Jane Laws 2026
Unauthorised copying, public performance, broadcasting, hiring or rental of this song prohibited.

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My Last Teaspoon of Honey

New Single to be Released on 19th November 2024

I wandered through Fremantle Farmers Market one winter Sunday morning and found myself in conversation with the proprietor of a boutique honey store. A delicious teaspoon of jarrah honey encouraged me to walk away with a jar of honey.

When I emptied my old jar of honey, to make way for the new, I found myself singing "If I could I would give to you my last teaspoon of honey." And in that moment I began my journey with this song. I didn't know where this song would take me. I allowed my mood, over many days, to suggest other "If I could I would..." until it seemed the song was complete.

My Last Teaspoon of Honey soon became part of my set list and I was delighted to find the audience connecting with this song. It would be true to say that the audience response encouraged me to release My Last Teaspoon of Honey.

The music video was filmed, in Porongurup National Park, by the ruins of the Mira Flores homestead. Porongurup is a spiritual place for me and I walk past the old bread oven on many an occasion, enjoying the quiet and the grandeur of the Karri trees.

I hope you enjoy My Last Teaspoon of Honey and find calmness and reflection listening to this song.

My Last Teaspoon of Honey

 
If I could I would give to you my last teaspoon of honey.
If I could I would give to you my last handful of money.
If I could I would change all my words that hurt you.
If I could I would change all the times I'd desert you.
 
Chorus
All the roads I have travelled on lead me to just one thing I'd like to say,
'Tomorrow is a brand new day.'
 
If I could I would spend my days searching for nothing.
If I could I would turn my nothing into something.
If I could I would believe in the glory of madness.
If I could I would believe in the beauty of sadness.
 
Chorus
 
If I could I would write all the words that are missing.
If I could I would smile and rejoice in the listening.
If I could I would cry all the tears I've been holding on to.
If I could I would understand, for the story of knowing you.
 
Chorus
'Tomorrow is a brand new day.'

 

Copyright   Jane Laws 2024

Unauthorised copying, public performance, broadcasting, hiring or rental of this song prohibited.

History of Mira Flores Homestead

1910 gathering at Mira Flores Homestead

A six room weatherboard house was built below Devil's Slide at the turn of the 20th century for Alfred Edward Morgans (17th February 1850 - 10th August 1933). Morgans was the 4th premier of Western Australia, serving for just over one month between 21st November - 23rd December 1901.

When Morgans experienced financial difficulties, the Government purchased part of his property in 1926 for the Porongurup National Park at a cost of 1,764 pounds. The remainder became private farms.

The house was sold and moved to Mt Barker between 1931 and 1933 (site uncertain).

By 1978 a granite rock and brick oven and the house chimney were visible reminders of Morgans grand dream to build a horse and cattle stud, run deer, pheasants and partridges and develop a sanatorium for gold miners suffering from silicosis.

Today only the bread oven remains as the house chimney blew over in a storm.

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Have You Ever Been Before - Porongurup National Park

 

Kangaroo and Joey

I wrote the song, Have You Ever Been Before, as a tribute to The Porongurup National Park, home of Castle Rock and Granite Skywalk. Porongurup National Park is a beautiful part of the world in Mountain Country in The South West of Western Australia.

During my career years, I spent many a long weekend recuperating and resting my soul at Porongurup. Porongurup has always been my go to place for peace and tranquillity. In 1997 I was lucky to find my own piece of paradise, a small cottage, at the foothills of The Porongurup Range.

On Wansbrough Walk towards Nancy Peak

One day, while I was walking along the Wansbrough Walk trail, on my way to Nancy Peak, I found myself humming an original tune and it was there that I wrote the lyrics "Have you ever been before, where the mountains rest the soul and the trees grow tall. Let the silence soothe your mind, and you'll find there's no reason to count the time." From that moment the idea for my song, Have You Ever Been Before, was born.

To sing, Have You Ever Been Before, on the porch of my Porongurup home, for Play Music On The Porch Day, was a magical experience, I hope you enjoy this song.

Devil's Slide - Porongurup National Park

Have You Ever Been Before
 
One day in seventy eight I met a man
His name I don’t remember.
We were sat by a river
It was spring, late September.
He had the time to listen,
And his eyes they did glisten
And he took my hand and held it close and he said.
 
“Have you ever been before
Where the mountains rest the soul
And the trees grow tall?
Let the silence soothe your mind
And you’ll find there’s no reason
To count the time.”
 
There is little time to contemplate
The beauty of life at the end of each day.
I long to watch the world go by
And enjoy the sight of a bird at play.
I know instead of all this greed,
Food and shelter is all I need,
But it’s hard to change to a life I don’t understand.
 
Yes I think I hear the call
To where the mountains rest the soul
And the trees grow tall.
Let the silence soothe my mind
And I’ll find there’s no reason
To count the time.
 
When he stood up to leave
I saw his face was lined and weathered.
He picked up his walking stick
And reached for his old dog who was tethered.
He knew where he was going
He’d been that place before,
And he looked back o’ver his shoulder
And said once more.
 
“Have you ever been before
Where the mountains rest the soul
And the trees grow tall?
Let the silence soothe your mind
And you’ll find there’s no reason
To count the time.”
 
 
Copyright   Jane Laws   1996
Unauthorised copying, public performance, broadcasting, hiring or rental of this song prohibited.

Nancy Peak - Porongurup National Park

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Fremantle Harbour Bound

Fremantle Harbour Bound is one of my maritime folk songs, it is a story about being at sea, for a very long time, and finally sailing towards home.

However the song goes much deeper than that and reflects upon my own personal journey of finding my way to live on the shores of Fremantle. All of my adult life I have connected to Fremantle, to the history, to the culture, to the port, to the people. Although I have been a member of Fremantle Sailing Club since 1987, the different roads I have chosen have never led me to live in Fremantle.

Then the winter of 2022 came along and it was either "now or never" and my partner and I sold up and moved to Fremantle. The song, Fremantle Harbour Bound, came to me while I was musing with my guitar on a stormy afternoon while we were in the throes of moving.

Erik Kowarski, renowned Perth improvising fiddle player, recorded and produced my first album, Gypsy Traveller (released in 2000.) It was wonderful to team up with Erik again for the journey of recording Fremantle Harbour Bound. Erik's beautiful fiddle has added a haunting touch and nautical flavour throughout the song; thank you so much, Erik.

The Fremantle Harbour Bound video was filmed aboard my yacht, Ambience, in the waters around Fremantle. With only two of us onboard, we found the on-water filming a memorable challenge. Trying to look after Ambience, each other, other water users, and filming is a day we won't forget in a hurry.

Way back in 1996, when I wrote the song, Seaflight, (a tribute to Perth teenager, David Dicks, who was sailing solo and nonstop around the world), Fremantle Sailing Club life member, Gran Hickling, asked me if I could write a song about the sailing club. Gran would ask me every time I saw him, which was, at times, every week. I used to just smile and muse to myself, "what could I write in a song about our club." Then last year, when Fremantle Harbour Bound came along, as if out of nowhere, I thought to myself, this is the song that Gran always wanted me to write.

Fremantle Harbour Bound

I am Fremantle Harbour bound,
Around the sound, around the town.
A west bound wind will bring me home,
Away too long, I am harbour bound, Fremantle Town.

 

Will you forgive all that has gone before,
So I might live in peace upon your shore.
And in my mind I hear a distant call,
I'm harbour bound, Fremantle Town, Fremantle Town.

 

I am a mile away from nowhere now,
Do you hear me sigh? Do you hear me shout?
And do you hear me sing The Lord's Prayer out loud?
Away too long, I am harbour bound, Fremantle Town.

 

I am Fremantle Harbour bound,
Around the sound, around the town.
A west bound wind will bring me home,
Away too long, I am harbour bound, Fremantle Town.

 

Copyright   Jane Laws 2023
Unauthorised copying, public performance, broadcasting, hiring or rental of this song prohibited.

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Falls of Thunder - Victoria Falls - Mosi-oa-Tunya

My journey with Falls of Thunder, my song about Victoria Falls, began while listening to the teachings of Aboriginal elder, George Walley, at George's song writing seminar in February 2020. Fremantle community choir, Walyalup Kannajil, organised the song writing sessions with George Walley, an award winning songwriter who operates MandjoogoordapDreaming ~ Mandurah Aboriginal Cultural Experience.

Even though I lived in Zambia and Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) from the age of three, and crossed the border at Victoria Falls many times, I had never thought of writing a song about the falls. Listening to George's teachings, I searched my own spiritual journey for inspiration and "Victoria Falls" came to me at the end of our first song writing evening. In the early hours of the following morning, while the house was quiet and my partner was still sound asleep, the lyrics to Falls of Thunder came to me, as if by magic, and by sunrise my song was complete.

I will never forget the response when I sang Falls of Thunder at our next song writing session. From that moment, the idea was born to release Falls of Thunder as a single.

The cover artwork features a painting of Victoria Falls by Zambian artist G. Mottini. Through the years, while living in Luanshya, mum and dad bought several paintings from local artist Mr. Mottini. Every now and again he would come to the house, to present and sell his wares. Mum and Dad gave me this beautiful painting when they heard Falls of Thunder for the first time. The painting now has a prominent place in my lounge, and I enjoy the falls every day.

My mum and dad had the joy of filming our childhood holidays on super 8. Scouring the archives, I found some footage of Victoria Falls, taken during a family holiday in 1966. I used this footage in the Falls of Thunder music video.

The days seemed like they might turn from weeks to months while I worked on the arrangement, recording and the creation of the music video for Falls of Thunder. When the Corona Virus became a global pandemic, and I began to understand the seriousness of this terrible disease, I said to my partner "If I only get to do one more thing, I would like to finish this song." I worked harder and longer and on the 1st April 2020 I finally let go and released Falls of Thunder for worldwide distribution.

I hope you enjoy the Falls of Thunder song and video. Through the lyrics I hope to convey the deep spiritual connection I have with Africa, a connection I have carried with me my whole life. Falls of Thunder has given me the opportunity to express feelings and emotions that I have never previously included in a song. As with many of my songs, I feel like I am only the messenger.

Group therapy for song writers 

David Livingstone, the Scottish missionary and explorer, is believed to have been the first European to view Victoria Falls on the 16th November 1855. Livingstone named his sighting in honour of Queen Victoria, but the Lozi (Kololo) name, Mosi-oa-Tunya ~ "The Smoke That Thunders" ~ continues in common usage. Livingstone also cites older names, Seongo or Chongwe, which means "The Place of the Rainbow."

Falls of Thunder

Where do you come from Falls of Thunder?

Where must the rain fall so you can flow?

Through the changing smiles on both sides of the border,

May your mist rise, may your mist rise, may your mist rise and free us all.

Through the eyes of a child I came to your water,

To dance in the mist and watch the hippos play.

And the rainbows end shone deep in the valley,

And even a child's, even a child's, even a child's breath was swept away.

I remember the border, your humble existence,

You always had a smile for a child like me.

While we waited and wondered the mist rose from your river,

Until it was time, until it was time, until it was time to go home.

In December a picture as silent as the enemy,

No water, no wonder, no hippos at play.

I pray for the rain and the sound of your thunder,

Let no man take, let no man take, let no man take your spirit away.

Where do you come from Falls of Thunder?

Where must the rain fall so you can flow?

Through the changing smiles on both sides of the border

May your mist rise, may your mist rise, may your mist rise and free us all.

Copyright   Jane Laws 2020

Unauthorised copying, public performance, broadcasting, hiring or rental of this song prohibited.

Wings of Hope

Sometimes magic happens. A chance meeting with author, Wendy Campbell, turned into a wonderful song writing project for me. Wendy asked me if I could write a theme song for her autobiography On Aspiring.

The phrase Wings of Hope was mentioned just once in On Aspiring but I knew as soon as I read those words that Wings of Hope would become the title and the fundamental theme of the song.

On Aspiring is an honest and thought provoking read, detailing Wendy's own personal life struggles and achievements. Beautifully written, I found it easy to immerse myself within the pages and to write Wings of Hope. 

I placed the phrase "I am letting go, and holding on to the wings of hope." at the end of every verse. After writing Wings of Hope I've noticed that I remind myself about "letting go and holding onto hope" as I go through my daily life.

Wendy and Rob Campbell produced this music video of "Wings of Hope" using film from their climb to the summit of Mount Aspiring / Tititea.

Play Wings of Hope on Spotify or Youtube.

          

Wings of Hope

And I will keep on searching along the wings of hope,

Hearing only angels voices, fearing nothing in my way.

And I'll share with you my dreams, as my tears wash my pain away.

Along the wings of hope I fly today.

Where I am, it's not where I'm meant to be,

And this road I find me on isn't really me.

I must find a way, find a way to save me from myself.

I am letting go, and holding on to the wings of hope.

You may be the one who's taken all of my heart,

But the mountains and the stars have captured my soul.

I am drowning, drowning in a sea of fear and glory.

I am letting go, and holding on to the wings of hope.

I've learnt to trust the arms of a stranger,

I've known the summit glow, I've learnt to dare.

And in my prayers, I pray for strength and confidence.

I am letting go, and holding on to the wings of hope.

And I will keep on searching along the wings of hope,

Hearing only angels voices, fearing nothing in my way.

And I'll share with you my dreams, as my tears wash my pain away.

Along the wings of hope I fly today.

Copyright   Jane Laws  2020

Unauthorised copying, public performance, broadcasting, hiring or rental of this song prohibited.