I first heard this Kiwi classic on Declan Affley's LP of the same name.

THE DAY THE PUB BURNED DOWN
(Bob Edwards/Anon)

Pull up a stump and lend an ear and a story I'll relate
About a sinful waste of beer I will elucidate
I'll tell of how calamity struck Wapakiwi town
And caused a gruesome tragedy, the day the pub burned down


The boys had gathered in the bar upon that fateful day.
By horse and foot and motor-car they all had made their way
While listening to Manuka Jones, New Zealand's finest liar
They heard a cry that chilled the bones: ‘The flamin' pub's on fire!’

There'd been a drought for weeks and weeks, the wells and tanks were dry
No water flowed along the creeks, we had no town   supply
The blazing sun, without relent, turned all the green to brown
Imagine our predicament, the day the pub burned down

Through smoke and flame, we dragged the booze to safety out the door
Then thought of what we stood to lose and rushed back in for more
‘Stand by - the fire brigade is here!’ (those men of high renown)
‘Oh, fireman, fireman, save the beer and let the Pub burn down!'

They bashed the tops of barrels in while strong men knelt to pray,
Shoved their flippin' hoses in and shouted ‘Pumps away!’
They fought with beer and lemonade, that raging fire to drown
And we fought and cursed the fire brigade, the day the pub burned down

Now moreporks haunt the old pub site 'round Wapakiwi town
And shikkers roam the hills at night to hunt the firemen down
They curse the cash they cannot spend, their raging thirst to drown
Dry horrors drove them 'round the bend, the day the pub burned down

Youtube clip

Neil Colquhoun included it at p53 of his 'Song of a young country'. He also included this delightful excerpt from a poem by James K. Baxter, the author of 'By the dry Cardrona'. The poem is 'Lament for Barney Flanagan: Licensee of the Hespeus Hotel'.

Flanagan got up on a Saturday morning
Pulled on his pants while the coffee was warming
Didn't remember the doctor's warning:
'Your heart's too big, Mr Flanagan ...'

Barney Flanagan ripe for the coffin
Eighteen stone and brandy rotten
Patted the house-maid's velvet bottom
'Oh, is it you, Mr Flanagan ...'

While publicans drink their profits still
While lawyers flock to be in at the kill
While Aussie barmen milk the till
We will remember him, Flanagan

Colquhoun also references James McNeish's 'Tavern in the town' as well worth reading in respect of country pubs. There is no such town as Wapakiwi.

--Stewie.