The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #153102   Message #3583478
Posted By: GUEST,Tony in Darwin
12-Dec-13 - 04:22 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: It's a Long Way to Cunnamulla (J Dengate)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: It's a Long Way to Cunnamulla - John Den
I sourced "My Shout" and typed out the words verbatim for Liora.

So here 'tis:

Cunnamulla                        by John Dengate

[Tune: It's a Long Way to Tipperary]

First verse and chorus:
It's a long way to Cunnamulla, it's a long way to go,
It's a long way to Cunnamulla on the River Warrego.
I know there's been a gerrymander and I know it isn't fair,
But I have to rely on Cunnamulla; they vote for me there.

Mr. Bjelke Petersen is a genius, it's true.
Mr. Bjelke Petersen makes five votes equal two.
He divides up the whole electorate, subtracts Aunt Edna's twins,
And he multiplies the rural fraction and that's how he wins.

Chorus

[Tune: Pack up Your Troubles]

Here is your ticket to the Senate, Flo, That's guile, guile, guile.
Pack up your pumpkin scones and portmanteau; goose-step round the pile.
Tell the mob in Canberra, I waltzed you down the aisle,
So here is your nepotistic ticket, Flo, seig Heil! Heil! Heil!

[Tune: It's a Long Way to Tipperary]

Chorus

Old Caligula the Roman, so the history text books say,
Put his horse into the Senate where it always voted "neigh".
But a horse is still considered useful on the River Warrego,
So! The ancient Romans got an old grey mare and Queensland got Flo.

Chorus

Why not go to sunny Queensland, why not venture forth?
Why not join the Country Party in that lovely land up north?
Ignore the electorate in Brisbane; to hell with Moreton Bay;
As long as you win in Cunnamulla, you'll be O.K.

Chorus


*   This song keeps growing

- from "My Shout: Songs and Poems by John Dengate" pub. Bush Music Club, Sydney, Easter, 1982

John used to do a nazi salute on the "seig Heil" words in v3 - don't know if everyone'd be comfortable with that.