another of Maurie's songs

source - Australian Society for the Study of Labour History To mark the centenary of the NSW Teachers’ Federation, we include in this issue of The Hummer two songs about teachers and the challenges of working in the NSW State education system.

I’m Changing our Name to Grammar
Words & Music by Maurie Mulheron (2001)

Oh, the cost of education makes me flinch   
As public schools start to feel the pinch.
From each dollar we have gained
Little has remained;
No, our economic future is no cinch.
But amidst the clouds I spot a shining ray
If we can make State Aid come back our way,
So, I’ve devised a plan of action,
Worked it out to the last fraction,
And I’m going into action here today.

Chorus

I’m changing our name to Grammar,
And I’m heading down to Canberra you see
I’ll tell those bureaucrats
What they did for St Ignats
Will be perfectly acceptable to me.
I’m changing our name to Grammar,
And I’m heading for that great receiving line
So, when they hand a million grand out
I’ll be standing with my hand out,
Yes, I’ll get mine!

When the P&C are screaming “Where’s the dough?”
I’ll be proud to tell them all where they can go
They won’t have to scream or holler,
They’ll get ev’ry last dollar
From where endless streams of money seem to flow
I’ll be proud to tell them all what they can do
It’s a matter of a simple form or two,
‘Cause for private education, there’s so much remuneration
In Canberra the cheque waits for you.

Chorus

Since the first amphibians crawled out of the slime,
We’ve been struggling in an unrelenting climb;
We were hardly up and walking
Before money started talking
And subsidies were an awful crime.
Now it’s been that way for a millennium or two
Now it seems there is a different point of view
If you’re enrolling at St Joey’s
No need to spend your dough
‘Cause Canberra will pay the fees for you!

Chorus (with last 3 lines repeated)

lyrics, no audio Based on I'm Changing My Name to Chrysler (Words and music by Tom Paxton, copyright Pax Music, ASCAP) Used by permission. Additional words by Maurie Mulheron
no wonder I can remember the tune!