Queensland policeman (Fitzgerald Enquiry) by john Dengate. Tune New England Cocky,

'Twas a Queensland policeman, or so I've been told
Whose pockets were bulging with ill-gotten gold.
Though his salary was modest, his rake-offs were big:
Corruption had made him a very fat pig.

He did not build his house out of sticks or of straw;
He built it of bricks and he dead-locked the door.
But when the big bad wolf enquired at his gates,
The pig got so scared that he dobbed in his mates.

"Well, I may be a pig, but my voice is in key,
A bloody canary's got nothing on me."
And his song was so long, by the end of the day,
He had sung the Commissioner's super away.

Well he dobbed and he snitched and he warbled and trilled
Till right across Queensland his guts he had spilled.
From Brisbane to Cooktown his singing was heard
And Mr Fitzgerald wrote down every word.

Now all you bent coppers, take warning from me,
Steer clear of the brothels, the drups and the S.P.
though the wages of sin are exceedingly great;
Remember the bagman and don't trust your mate.


John's note - Inspired by a comment of an ex-wharfie mate of mine: "I couldn't care less about the corruption; it's the dobbing I can't stand".
page 45 'My Shout again', Malaney, Qld, 1989

dobbed/snitched - told tales, (a great sin in all circles, whether it is the innocent, foreign-born child telling the teacher she was blaming the wrong pupil & naming the one who misbehaved, or in adult circles, both suburban or criminal)
super - Superannuation/pension
S.P. - Starting Price, gambling on horses, an illegal activity