Green Bans Forever, A song by Mick Fowler ©1979 Mick Fowler, Tune: Waltzing Matilda

    Once some jolly squatters camped in Victoria Street
    There they lived for months on end
    They fought and struggled for the own community
    The rights of the tenants to defend

    Green Bans forever Green Bans Forever
    Green Bans forever in Victoria Street
    We sang as we hopped from chimney top to chimney top
    Green Bans forever in Victoria Street

    Down come the coppers mounted on their rescue vans
    Up come the thugs vans one two three
    We laughed as we struggled down behind the barricades
    You'll never drive us away said we

    Out come the squatters carried by the constables
    Into the wagon one two three
    The thugs with their crow bars smashed all the premises
    They cost 'em dough but the coppers come free

    Up jumped a squatter high into the chimney pot
    You'll have some trouble to get me said he
    His voice could be heard as the moon shone on the chimney top
    Green Bans forever in Victoria Street

    People of Sydney fighting for Victoria Street
    Should keep a watch by the Sycamore trees (spoken: they are Sycamores you know folks)
    And the Green Bans will stay on Bellows and their property
    Green Bans forever in Victoria Street
    ... Kings Cross the top of William Victoria Street forever hooray!

Notes - This song was released as side 2 of a 45rpm 7" record in 1979 With Mick Fowler on vocals and a jazz band called Green Ban'd. Mick was a jazz musician and member of the SUA (Seamen's Union of Australia) who lived in Victoria Street Sydney. He was the last tenant to leave in 1979.

correction - he left in 1976, & died in 1979

Mick Fowler monument, Butler Stairs, Victoria St
inscription -
Memorial plaque to Mick Flower
Seaman, Musician & Green Ban Activist
For his gallant stand against demolition of workers homes with the Builders Labourers Federation Green Bans
They were hard old days, they were battling days, they were cruel times - but then In spite of it all Victoria Street will see low income housing for workers again.
From his friends.

I haven't walked down Victoria St for a few years, but when I did, I always smiled at that last line - low income housing didn't last in Victoria St or the Potts Point/Kings Cross area. There is a fair bit down the bottom of Butler Stairs in Wooloomooloo but it is mainly richer folk in the wider area.