The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #5819   Message #3740762
Posted By: Stewie
29-Sep-15 - 06:40 PM
Thread Name: Origins: King of the Cannibal Islands
Subject: RE: Lyr/Tune Req: King of the Cannibal Islands
Mention of the 'King of the Cannibal Islands' always reminds me of beaut little poem by John Manifold about the death of one of our Oz prime ministers who disappeared without a trace.

On the Death of Mr Holt
(John Manifold)

Only a week before Christmas
   The happiest day of the year
They held a wake for Harold Holt
   And the bigwig guests came here

Bonnie Prince Charlie came owre the sea
   With Wilson who never smiles
And LBJ from the USA
   And the king of the Cannibal Isles

Chaps from Siam and from South Vietnam
   And the Philippines too, I think
Some for the sake of the free, free world
   And some for the free, free drink

They made long speeches and shed loud tears
   To propitiate Harold's ghost
And the king of the Cannibal Isles got up
   To propose a final toast

He said: "We have had such a splendid time
   Such generous Christmas cheer
We hope you'll be able to drown a Prime
   Minister every year!"

--Stewie.