ASIO by John Dengate (words from My Shout, 1982)


ASIO! where we photograph and file ‘em!
ASIO! for political asylum ...

I’m very seldom feted, I’m poorly educated
I feel I’m underrated by the crown
But I can tell subversion from sexual perversion,
When I’m on excursion round your town.

ALTERNATE CHORUS
ASIO! where we photograph and file ‘em,
ASIO! the political asylum.

ASIO! from the arctic to the jungle
ASIO! we invariably bungle.

From Caringbah to Cairo, I’m ready with my biro,
I fire like a pyromaniac
I can tell by intuition, if you’re guilty of sedition,
But I’m hampered in my mission by the brains I lack.

ASIO! etc.

You’re a radical rebelling! What’s your name and place of dwelling?
(Could you help me with the spelling, I’m a wee bit pissed)
I must be very canny, look in every nook and cranny,
Why I’ve even got my granny on the suspect list.

ASIO! etc.

If you keep participating, in the nasty demonstrating,
Or I catch you masturbating, you’ll be on my files.
Yes! security is vital and to ascertain it’s tight I’ll
Sit here prying day and night until I get the piles.

ASIO! etc

Away we go! (Never mind the trauma)
It pays, you know, I'm an ASIO informer.


Jane Scott singing ASIO & Dale talking about her & John's ASIO files!