G'day again Liora,

I'm not surprised to see that a number of my old friends have this up on their hard drives ... but I'll drop in my save from the 'master machine' at home ... if only to include my snarky remark on the Queensland (~) 'rip-off' of John's first songbook leaving this one out ...

Regard(les)s,

BOb

IT'S A LONG WAY TO CUNNAMULLA
Words: John Dengate; Tune: Long Way to Tipperary (Most verses)

(1st Verse and Chorus)
It's a long way to Cunnamulla, It's a long way to go,
It's a long way to Cunamulla, on the River Warrego.
I know there's been a gerrymander ... and I know it isn't fair ...
But I have to rely on Cunnamulla – They vote for me there!

(2nd Verse)
(Oh!) Mr Bjelke-Petersen, is a genius – it's true!
Mr Bjelke-Petersen, makes five votes equal two:
He divides up the whole electorate - subtracts the dogs and gins –
Then multiplies the whole electorate ... and that's how he wins!
(Chorus: It's a long way to Cunnamulla)

Tune: Pack up Your Troubles
Here is your ticket to the Senate, Flo, that's guile, guile, guile.
Pack up your pumpkin scones and portmanteau; goose-step round the pile.
Tell the mob in Canberra, I waltzed you down the aisle,
o here is your nepotistic ticket, Flo, sieg Heil! Heil! Heil!
(Chorus: It's a long way to Cunnamulla)

Tune: Long Way to Tipperary
Old Caligula the Roman, so the history text books say,
Put his horse into the Senate where it always voted "neigh".
But a horse is still considered useful on the River Warrego,
So! The ancient Romans got an old grey mare and Queensland got Flo!
(Chorus: It's a long way to Cunnamulla)

Why not go to sunny Queensland, why not venture forth?
Why not join the Country Party in that lovely land up north?
Ignore the electorate in Brisbane; to hell with Moreton Bay;
As long as you win in Cunnamulla, you'll be O.K.
(Chorus: It's a long way to Cunnamulla)

[In 1982 John noted, below the text, * This song keeps growing.]

Source: My Shout! Songs and Poems by John Dengate, Bush Music Club, Easter 1982, pp 16/17

The 1989 Queensland Folk Federation / Maleny Folk Festival 'rip-off' of this publication as My Shout Again! Songs and Poems by John Dengate, (No imprint) did not pick up this quintessentially Queensland ('Cunnamulla') song ... maybe they were still hoping for some sort of Government hand out ...!