I asked this same question on Facebook, when Ian Robb was touting a John Roberts concert (oh would I have loved to hear the after hours singing there!), to have John ask him because I had been wanting to sing an Americanized version. I know John had been doing some topical material when touring with Deb Cowan. I was delighted to get this direct response from Ian Robb:

"Joanne, as far as I'm concerned, the song was written to be rewritable and adaptable to different situations. As long as the looney right doesn't purloin it for some nefarious cause, my permission is a given, though it's always nice to be asked, so I know who's singing it!. It's been sung all over, most recently in Devon, UK, where they're closing hospitals."

So, time to sharpen my wit and figure it out for myself!

Joanne in Cleveland