The late Paul Lawler's observations of the changing face of tropical architecture in the Top End of the Northern Territory, after Cyclone Tracy (not necessarily for the better), are immortalised in his song "My Dear Darwin", popular with so many folkies who have visited or lived in Australia's Top End - it's very singable!


MY DEAR DARWIN       © Paul Lawler, 1983                  

Time was, when people in harmony
With nature understood,
That freedom for living things went without saying
And life’s simple pleasures were good.

Asymmetrical, practical, buildings of yesterday
Made from lattice and lace,
But louvres and shutters and the wide open spaces
Now have concrete blocks in their place.

Chorus        
My Dear Darwin
Oh what have they done to your face,
Since Tracy blew, your tropical hue
Has somehow fallen from grace.

Call it green season, then build without reason
These homes from latitudes far,
Creating hot boxes, visually obnoxious
On Darwin’s horizon, a scar.

Government platitudes, old-fashioned attitudes
Building suburbs of gloom,
Breezes are few, in your tropical igloo
You’ll never enjoy the monsoon.

Caravan window, breeze adagio
Air condition the room,
Depend when you’re hot, on one thousand watts
Sealed in a suburban tomb.

But make the correction and opt for convection
Let the nor-wester in from the sea,
Airing your dwelling and bonus that’s telling
The wind and the breezes are free.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bueF-1abr_s


Cheers, R-J