This song by John is wonderful when sung in 4 part harmony. It helped me cope, after the Howard government got in.

    I Can't Abide
    A song by John Dengate ©John Dengate 1998
    Tune: Abide With Me

    I can't abide the government's front bench, send them away to the Germans or the French
    I can't abide Costello's shallow sneer - won't someone make the bastard disappear?

    I can't abide that bloody aweful Kemp, bring back the gallows, the hangman and the hemp
    Take Peter Reith and dump him in the tide. Him I particularly can't abide

    Poor little John deserves our sympathy, born neath the star of mediocrity
    Pat his wee head and send him off to bed, then hide the key lest he abide with me

    I can't abide the government's ministry, Senator Vanstone's worse than dysentry
    Send her away without the least delay - dont pour the tea lest she abide with me

    Sink them the swine, an iceberg would be fine. Far, far away in distant Hudson Bay
    As they go down they'll warble while they drown, flat and off-key, they'll be despised by me

    I can't abide the government's front bench, send them away to the Germans or the French
    Take Peter Reith and dump him in the tide. Him I particularly can't abide

This song has been sung at the wharfies picket lines around Australia, and at support demonstrations. it was also sung at a demonstration against Peter Reith, organised by the Blue Mountains Unions Council, at Wentworth Falls.

    On that occasion Chris Kempster introduced the song with the following words
    Our good friend John Dengate was moved by the singing of the hymn "Abide with Me" as the Titanic slid to disaster. He felt there was a certain resonance with the progress (for want of better word) of the present government, and changed the hymn to "I Can't Abide".
    A little uneasy at changing a hymn, we conferred, and have been advised by St Peter, that under these exceptional circumstances the changes could be sanctioned. He sent his unqualified approval, adding that several of the disciples have done likewise and will try to join in whenever the new version is sung

    John songs the song on the MUA Centenary CD "With These Arms"