AUNTY © Bernard Carney

Audio 21 years ago Bernard said - "This is an old song which may be updated and used again at present if anyone has the time"

    tune: Solidarity Forever

    They've cut my Aunty's pension
    She can hardly pay the rent
    They're planning little nips and tucks
    That total 10 (or 20 or possibly more) per cent
    They're beating down her budget
    'til she's at the begging bowl
    And hundreds of her staff
    Are going to end up in a hole

    Her doctor says she's overweight
    She looks so thin to me
    He's issued a prescription for cosmetic surgery
    But everybody knows she's going to be an amputee
    But her voice goes marching on

    Help to save our favourite Aunty
    Help to save our favourite Aunty
    Help to save our favourite Aunty
    And let her voice go marching on

    Her mouth is just a little wide
    Her tongue is far too long
    They'll do a quick reshaping
    So they sing a different song
    Her ears will only hear too much
    They really must be tamed
    She'll still be known as Aunty
    But she just won't sound the same


    My aunty's looking different now
    They're cutting at her still
    They've told her about sponsorship
    To help to pay the bills
    And when her independence starts to
    Trickle down the drain
    She'll still be known as Aunty
    But she just won't think the same


    So rally for your aunty
    She will need your full support
    She's the only independent voice
    That won't be sold or bought
    She's known across Australia
    In the country and the town
    So let her voice go marching on

    Notes

    Many thanks to Bernard Carney for permission to add this song to the Union Songs collection. He Writes "This is an old song which may be updated and used again at present if anyone has the time"

    Aunty in Australia is a common often affectionate reference to the national broadcaster the ABC. This publicly owned broadcaster has set the standard for Australian television and radio for over 60 years. It now (December 2000) faces destruction as the reactionary and vengeful Federal Government takes the gloves off in an attempt to ensure that "cash for comment" becomes the norm in Australian journalism.

    Visit the ABC website at: http://www.abc.net.au/

    Visit Bernard's website at: http://www.bernardcarney.com