If any visitors to this website are interested , in an effort to keep traditional & folk singing a living tradition, I have been known to write traditional-style folk songs on many topical affairs.
At present an Australian Rules team is touring Ireland and are playing against an Irish Gaelic football team in what is termed 'Compromise Rules football'!
One of the unfortunate Australians was recently sent home after getting himself in a some trouble, so I thought a song was in order:
Here it is 'The Prize Australian Pup' (sung to the air of the 'Wild Colonial Boy').I've already sung it at three trad singing sessions in
Dublin in the last week. Now I think the rest of the English-speaking world is ready for it!!

THE PRIZE AUSTRALIAN PUP ( air: Wild Colonial Boy)

There was a Prize Australian pup, who played for Carlton Blues
a mighty man for marks and scores, a giant of Australian Rules
called after bould St. Brendan, who fought the ocean's surf
as tough as teak, as hard as nails, this prize Australian pup.

T'was in the year of '06, he heard his nation's call
to fly out to Old Erin's Isle, to play compromise football
'Good on yer mate', he loudly cried, 'Fair go, I'll try me luck',
'For Aussie Rules I'll give me life', said the prize Australian pup.

So, on a cold October night, in the City of the Tribes
The Aussie Rules boys took the field, they were their country's pride
but the Meath witchdoctor bushwhacked them before the night was up
which grieved Australian hears full sore, especially the prize pup.

On Sunday then to Ballybrit, these 'Galahs' they did repair
to back some nags and have the craic, to down some wine and beer
but as the long day it wore on, one 'Galah' drank far too much
a terror to old Galway was this prize Australian pup.

Back in the Imperial hotel, his thirst not satisfied
young Brendan to the nite club went, more lager to imbibe
but the barman took one look at him and said, 'No more you'll sup',
'You'll not tell me I've had enough', cried the prize Australian pup.

'Away to bed and sleep it off ', the barman did declare
you'll be better off when morning dawns, right now you're worse
for wear'
he grabbed the barman 'round the neck to re-arrange his looks
'Keep serving I've not had my fill', said the prize Australian pup.


Quick as a flash the Gardaí came, the crime scene to survey
While Aussie Rules Commissioners examined the affray
poor Brendan was brought forth in chains, once he had sobered up
to be sent back to Van Diemans Land this prize Australian pup.


There was a prize Australian pup, who played for Carlton Blues
a mighty man for marks and scores, but a 'divil' for the booze
he flew to Ireland to play in the McAnallen cup
but transportation was fate of the prize Australian pup.


©   Pat "the Verse" Burke 2006