Mudcat Australia-New Zealand Songbook

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: GerryM
Date: 20 Oct 21 - 07:03 AM

Chopsticks
Peter Combe

[This isn't "Chopsticks", it's *about* "Chopsticks". Where it says "Bridge", play a little bit of actual "Chopsticks".]

I play the violin every morning and every evening of every day,
Suzuki, Bach, Vivaldi, Schuman, but really all that I want is to play

(Bridge)

I play the grand piano, practice my chords and scales and arpeggios.
So boring, and it drives my family up the wall. Dad says, why don't you play

(Bridge)

I play the flute, the silver flute, but it doesn't sound much like James Galway.
I wonder if, when he was ten, whether sometimes he was allowed to play

(Bridge)

I'd really love to sing a classical song or two at the Opera House
And sound like Pavarotti, la la la la la la, la la la la la

(Bridge) x 2

Repeat 1st stanza, repeat 4th stanza, bridge.

Recording here.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Stewie
Date: 19 Oct 21 - 11:06 PM

CROCODILE RIVER
(Stephen Pigram)

Ah the Sunday smell of pizza at the Five Rivers Club tonight
Is shattered by a disco of red and blue lights
Hear the sirens wailing, the cops hot on the tail of a
Busted Hilux doin’ fifty, tryin’ to get away and
It’s six miles to the old town and a whole six back again
Maybe he’ll run ‘em outta fuel before they run ‘im into jail
And all the town is watching, it’s on for young ’n old
Dis mellow drama in Five Rivers, the car chase in slo mo

He’s up a crocodile river on a moonless night
Tryin’ to shine a light on those red beady eyes
In a dinghy with no paddle on a turning tide
At the mercy of a salty, ah such is life

Well we used to spray weed for the APB
Now secret agent orange is investigating me
In a rainbow river take a bogey every night
And bring home more than the pay to the darlin’ wife

Up that crocodile river on a moonless night
Tryin’ to shine a light on those red beady eyes
In a dinghy with no paddle on a turning tide
At the mercy of a salty, ah such is life

Well Ned and Ben were talkin’ tough on who would right the wrongs
Who would stand and fight and who was gonna run
Are you gonna hold the candle or you gonna hold the gun?
When there ain’t no use in waking if your dreaming’s done

They’re up a crocodile river on a moonless night
Tryin’ to shine a light on those red beady eyes
In a dinghy got no paddle on a turning tide
At the mercy of a salty, ah such is life

From his 'Wanderer' album. Lyrics as printed in album booklet.

Youtube clip

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 06:51 AM

Life does get in the way. So much to do, & only one lifetime -

Several months back I wrote a list of Stuff To Do on yellow sheet of paper - in black marker pen - so I wouldn't lose it in all the white paper - a few things got crossed off (pats self on back!)

list got lost (oops)

so I wrote another on green paper - crossed off one or 2 ...

green list got lost ... yellow list has risen to the top , & I can see green list on my desk, hmmm might need to look at them & consolidate on the piece of blue paper that has also surfaced.

maybe

sandra

Reminder to our fans - if you want copies of the spreadsheets giving access to the collection, one for Aug-Dec 20, the other for 21 to date, please PM me. If you aren't a member, email [e-mail] - subject OZ/NZ songbook & he can pass on your details. (thanks, Joe!)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: rich-joy
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 03:08 AM

Glad you think so, Joe!! (we try :)

I think both Stewie and I are still flat out with other Life stuff, but fully intend getting back to the Oz-Kiwi material (there's A LOT still to go, after all - LoL!)
Meanwhile, at least Sandra is doing a valiant job holding the fort on her lonesome.

I keep hoping to see some other names posting, but ..... sigh .....


Cheers,
R-J (who has joined The Seniors brigade now - double "sigh" ...... :)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Oct 21 - 08:47 PM

Ahhhh. The click that refreshes. Somebody was looking for this thread, which is one of the most interesting threads we've had in years.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 10 Oct 21 - 08:58 AM

THE DEATH OF LES DARCY - collected from Joseph C. Caines of Nyngan by historian Marion Dormer of Collie.
Sung to the tune of Back home on Tennessee which was first published in 1915. Here's the crackly 1915 gramophone record sung by Collins & Harlen with music written by Walter Donaldson & lyrics by William Jerome

Words from an article by John Meredith, published in Strinybark & Greenhide 2(4), p.4 1980s

Have you heard it?
Have you heard it?
Les Darcy's dead they say.
He died on the 24th of May.
Broken hearted
When he parted
From this sunny shore
Dad and Mother,
Sis & Brother
Saw his face no more.
In Maitland Cemetery,
There lies poor Les Darcy,
His mother's only boy,
His sister's pride and joy.
How I longed for the night
To see Les Darcy fight -
How he beats them
Almost eats them,
Every Saturday night.
The critics by the score,
They say they never saw
A boy like Les before
Upon the Stadium floor.
Some says that he's a skiter
But he proved himself a fighter;
But they gave him dope
And he gave them hope
And he died in the U.S.A.

as I found several songs with similar names, I asked Ralph Pride if the 1915 music fitted. Ralph is responsible for the song & tune books put out by BMC's Concert Party over the decades, and has scanned old BMC archival material and converted recorded material to modern formats.

It fits if you’re good at jigsaw puzzles. It’s a nice old fashioned raggy tune. I could write it out if you think it’s worth a couple of hours effort.
I’ve filed it all away in my steadily evolving song collection.
Cheers, Ralph

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Sep 21 - 10:14 AM

JUST A LITTLE LEFT by Daniel Kelly 2020

video

Just [G] because your gonna vote for Bernie [D] Sanders
Doesn’t [C] mean that you’re a fan of Mao [G] Zedong,
And [G] believing in fair and living [C] wages,
Doesn’t [D] mean you think that enterprise is [G] wrong.

[A C] little to the left, just a [Bm] little to the [C] left,
You [G] only have to move a [D] little to the left,
The world can be [C] kind and fair,
[Bm] With just a little [C] care,
All you [C] have to do is [D] move a little [G] left,

Jeff Bezos doesn’t need 100 billion,
He could probably get by with one or two,
When there are people working who cannot break even,
It seems pretty clear what we should do.

You don’t have to cast your lot with Che Guevara,
Don’t have to tear the whole damn system down,
Trump will tell you that the democrats are commies,
But that’s clearly just the ravings of a clown.

You’re not a traitor if you care about the forest,
Or want to keep the skies and rivers clean,
We can have industry as well as social conscience,
Just ask IKEA they will tell you what I mean,

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Sep 21 - 10:11 AM

CRUSH THE UNION words © Daniel Kelly

video

In [G] January of [D] two thousand [G] eighteen
Transport [C] workers [D] conditions were [G] obscene
[C] Salaries replaced by [D] contract
[Bm] Overtime out of [Em] control,
And [C] ten years without real increase in [D] pay

[C] Crush the Union, [G] Crush the Union
[G] You don’t have the right to [D] strike,
We’ll pay you [G] what we damn well [D] like,
Make [C] worker’s rights a relic of the [D] past,
[C] Crush the Union, [G] Crush the Union,
[G] Capital has [D] won the war at [G] last.

The Union made the call to strike,
24 hours of no work was sure to bite,
Sydney Trains force back
To sit at the table,
To negotiate a fair and living wage,

Andrew Constance was ready for a fight,
Taking from the union what should be their right,
To the commission he did go,
Lawyers in a row,
Fair Work such an ironic name,

Brisbane 1912 they wore a badge with pride,
Union members should never have to hide,
10,000 in King George Square,
Union power in the air,
They fought with courage for their right.

Up the Union, Up the Union,
We will keep our right to strike,
A fair wage is our right,
Worker’s together to the last,
Up the Union, Up the Union,
Solidarity our message from the past,

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Sep 21 - 10:08 AM

CLIMATE CHANGERS words © Daniel Kelly

video

[G] Well you may not believe in [C] climate [G] change,
But you [C] surely [G] concede that the [Am] weather’s been [D] strange.
The [G] Snow in the Spring as the [C] fires they [G] burn,
[C] Hailstones [G] fall and the [D] hurricanes [G] turn.

[C] Do something, do something [G] now,
I don’t [Am] really care [G] what,
And I [C] can’t tell you [D] how,
The [G] planet she [C] needs us to,
[C] Turn things [G] around,
Or [C] humanities [G] future, will be [D] dust in the [G] ground

It don’t really count if you share Greta’s tweets,
Or like it when movie stars change what they eat,
It has to be action, that real and concrete,
The kinds that others, will see in the street   

Recycle your garbage, and plant out a tree,
If you’re really excited, you might just plant three
Ride your cycle to work, if it isn’t too far,
To offset the pollution you made in your car.

But don’t get too cocky about things that you’ve done,
Remember that life, is supposed to be fun,
If you use your actions to judge and to shame,
The others you hurt, will not join in our game.

I don’t really think that our house is on fire,
Or that all politicians should be sent to the pyre,
We are all to blame, for our ignorant greed,
Instead of caring together, for our mother in need.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Sep 21 - 11:48 PM

I've just been listening to The People Have Songs, Miguel Heatwole's celebration of singing sessions, double CD issued in 2001, & love this song sung by Frank Moore.
Daintry Frank – a mate of Simon’s from up north – was one of those discoveries that make folk festivals so worthwhile. I’ve not seen any of the films he’s in but oh, what a voice!
If you want to hear Daintree Frank's version (I also love that voice!) the CD is available from Miguel tracks are also available on bandcamp

METHO MAN by Graeme Connors

video - Graeme Connors singing Metho Man

On the edge of the mangrove, down by Casey’s hole
There lives the Metho Man
Beneath rusting wrought iron, a fire’s burning low
There lives the Metho Man

CHORUS
Come my beauty and dance
They’re playing the Varsovienna
Come my beauty and drink
Drink to the memory of a younger man’s dreams

Late at night you can hear them float by on the wind
The songs of the Metho Man
His voice at times booming, sometimes high and thin
The songs of the Metho Man

CHORUS

My Grandfather knew him, from his time on the rails
Said he was real quiet, always kept to himself
On the edge of the mangrove, down by Casey's Hole
There died the Metho Man
They say he just fell asleep in the flames
And there died the Metho Man

CHORUS x 2

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Sep 21 - 06:28 AM

VERY URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL FROM NIGERIA © Bruce Watson, April 22 2020. Bruce Watson Music

video - Very urgent business proposal from Nigeria 30 New Songs in 30 Days - a Covid-19 Social Isolation Project. Song 22

Dear Mister Sir Madam,

I most humbly send you my greetings, Dearest Blessed One.

I understand that this message will come to you as a surprising, but I have some private highly urgent business to be done. With due humility and respect, I write to you of this proposal, though this note is unexpected because you not knowing me.

My name is Joseph Baraghan and I seek your cooperation. I found your contact details in your country’s directory. I am a close confidant of the former chief of staff of the daughter of the late Prince Motu of Blessed Memory. You may have heard that the Prince and his closest aide-de-camp were killed in Benin’s civil war by the rebel military. Following his assassinated, his daughter miraculously escaped, till she finally arrival in Nigeria. She smuggled out two trunks which held a large amount of cash which she has deposited anonymously for a strictly limited period.

In strictest confidence I can advice you that this cash amount is more than $US18 million. She is now desirous to emigrate to your country with these funds, due to the stable situation with which country’s blessed. So I seek a foreign partner who will assist with the transfer, and be a respected guardian of these funds which will in the future be invested. I believe you are the trustworthy, and a fit and proper person to investment of this sum.

If you are willing to assist, please reply to this email as soon as you can possible, as time is of excess. Moreover you are requested to kindly send the following details: Your full name, nominated bank account details, and address.

Needless to say, the trust reposed in you at this juncture is substantial. In return, you shall receiving recompense. I please advise, you will receive 15 per cent of the total, and you need only send £200 to cover the expense. When I received your reply I will send you the document that will legal you to have complete access to these funds. Your earliest response will be highly appreciable to assist my worthy client in the problem she confronts. Please kindly assure me that you will act strictly accordingly to my instructions as I have stated above herein. Please to expedite your action or I will seek another partner, as my client’s situation requires urgent to begin.

My identity must not be revealed to any other party and strict confidentiality is required.

I remain sincerely yours, humbly in Christ

Joseph Baraghan, Esquire.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Sep 21 - 06:23 AM

AUSTRALIA'S LOST LANGUAGES © Bruce Watson 2009

In 1788 Australia had over 250 languages. Fewer than half are still spoken and on current trends almost all will cease to be spoken in a generation if nothing is done to save them now. Each language contains a universe of knowledge, wisdom and culture — the voice of humanity. Some people are doing fabulous work to sustain and revive languages. This song lists just a few of our lost languages.

Note on music: Musical notation has not been provided for this song because the words are spoken against the musical background of alternating chords.


[Am] Ngunawal, Gunditjmara, Burduna, Kuring-gai,
[G] Wathawurrung, Gayiri, Bunurong, Manangkarri,
[Am] Jiwarli, Kuyani, Nuenonne, Dhuduroa,
[G] Peramangk, Birladapa, Wakaya, Taungurong,
[Am] Wadi Wadi, Damala, Yaralde, Ngawun,
[G] Bidjigal, Yorta Yorta, Warungu, Plangermaireener,
[Am] Kaurna, Binikura, Nauo, Djabwurung,
[G] Daruk, Gugu Muluriji, Amangu, Eora,
[Am] Ladji Ladji, Awabakal, Garawa, Yangman,
[F#m] Nukunu, Bandjin, Nyawaygi, Darkinjung,
[Em] Parnkalla, Ayabadhu, Paredarerme, Jardwadjai,
[Am] Tyerrernotepanner, Worimi, Duulngari, Gulidjan,
[G] Bidjara, Angkamuthi, Doolboong, Walgalu,
[Am] Mingin, Barrow Point, Djiru, Djadjawurrung,
[F#m] Nganyaywana, Yukgul, Dharawal, Nhuwala,
[Em] Warnarrang, Ngarigo, Kalaamaya, Dhirari,
[Am] Tatungalung, Muruwari, Thiin, Yaburarra,
[G] Lairmairrener, Wanamara, Bidawal, Bangerang,
[Am] Kwat Kwat, Brabralung, Bugurnidja, Jurruru,
[G] Djilamatang, Djirringany, Woiwurrung.[Am]

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Sep 21 - 06:15 AM

SONG FOR LEONARD Words © Bruce Watson, (Tune: Suzanne, Leonard Cohen) Bruce Watson Music

bandcamp

I am a Cohen addict. I called my first guitar Suzanne! I wrote this to sing for a group of friends who used to get together to sing for each other. There were only two rules: 1. No Leonard Cohen; 2. Especially no Suzanne. A challenge I couldn’t resist!

Leonard Cohen brings you down to the depths of depression,
You can listen to him for hours, you can spend the night just crying,
And you know he'll send you crazy, that's why you want to stop it,
And you start to slash your wrists and hang yourself from the ceiling,
And just when you start believing that this world you're finally leaving,
Then somebody stops the record, and you feel a little better,
'Cause his songs are so depressing.

Refrain:
And you want to smash the record,
And destroy the record player,
But you know that you can't do it,
'Cause he's destroyed the very fabric of your mind.


Now, the only thing that's worse than all those hours of Leonard Cohen
Is to spend a long time listening to all his imitators going
Through all those incomprehensible songs like Suzanne and So Long Marianne,
Who think that all men should be Cohen freaks and sing all songs in A minor,
Their guitars should all be broken, they should be banished to New Zealand,
They're disgusting, not quite human — they should sink into the ocean
Like a stone.

Refrain:
And they want to travel with you,
And they want to travel blind,
But you know you shouldn‘t let them,
They'll destroy the very fabric of your mind.
Of your mind,
Of your mind,
(Repeat, getting crazier, until you explode)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Sep 21 - 06:03 AM

THE RULES OF ENGLISH © Bruce Watson. Bruce Watson Music

video - The Rules of English

bandcamp

This offering is based on the late William Safire’s Rules for Writers, extrapolated and set to music.

Now when I was a boy one was taught English grammar
These days standards have gone down the drain
We had it banged into us, with an unsubtle hammer
And it’s firmly lodged into my brain
There’s a million mistakes that you see people make
Now and then there’s an absolute whopper
So here’s a few tips to avoid future slips
To help you all speak and write proper:

Chorus:
Be sure to never split an infinitive
Don’t use no double negatives
And never generalise, that’s a rule you see everyone break!
Be clear as a bell, profread everythnig well
Be more or less specific, don’t be vague
And (last but not least) avoid clichés like the plague!

It’s incumbent upon us to eschew obfuscation
And where feasible to employ the vernacular
Never use a big word when a diminutive one would suffice
And understatement is absolutely spectacular
Use language that’s inclusive of all men
And here’s something else you should know
The use of foreign words is just not de rigeur
Nor is it apropos

Chorus

Always avoid awkward annoying
Unattractive affected alliteration
Avoidification of George Bushian neologisms
Will strengthenify your prosification
If you see a mixed metaphor take the bull by the horns
And knock it right off of its perch
And vary your words variously
So that you use various words

Chorus

Exaggeration is a trillion zillion times worse
Than just stating the plain simple facts
And use words correctly, irregardless of what others do
To show you’ve got the language knack
The passive voice should always be avoided
Heed should be taken of that suggestion
And what I now ask of all of you is:
“Who needs rhetorical questions?”

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Sep 21 - 05:59 AM

CAPTAIN MOONLITE - A LOVE STORY © Bruce Watson

https://brucewatsonmusic.bandcamp.com/track/captain-moonlite-a-love-story

Andrew George Scott led a chequered life, eventually becoming a bushranger under the moniker of Captain Moonlite. His career ended when he took hostages in a siege which resulted in several deaths. His dying wish to be buried next to his lover James Nesbit was not granted, but 100 years later there was a successful campaign to have his bones disinterred and reburied at the Gundagai Cemetery where he now lies near James, under a beautiful gum tree.

Tomorrow I will step up to the gallows
I only ask you grant me one last wish for when I’m gone
I’m a man who’s done wrong, I will face the fiery flames
All I ask is to be laid beside my true love, dear young James

Chorus:
May we lay together, side by side, my friend
May we rest in peace

I did the crime, I served my time in Pentridge
Seven years for robbery and other deeds besides
But I treasure that time yet, for it’s there that we two met
To never part again till he lay in my arms and died

Chorus

Well the traps they gave us no peace back in Melbourne
So me and James and a few young men, we headed for the bush
Captain Moonlite and his gang raising hell across the land
Till we met our match at Wantabadgery, up past Gundagai
When that squatter said move on, well my patience it was gone
So we drew our guns and bailed them up, we would fight or we would die

Chorus

When the troopers came my young boys fought so bravely
Poor Gus was only 15, and they shot him in the side
But when I saw my James lying there where he was slain
I lay my head upon his breast, I kissed him, and I cried
Chorus

Tomorrow I will step up to the gallows
I will pray for God’s forgiveness and whisper my love’s name
On my finger is a ring that I will wear unto my grave
It is woven from a lock of the hair of my dear James

Chorus (twice)
May we lay together

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Sep 21 - 05:42 AM

THE MAN AND THE WOMAN AND THE EDISON PHONOGRAPH © Bruce Watson Bruce Watson Music

video of Bruce recording onto a wax cylinder on an Edison Phonograph Recorded on 18 April 2014 at the National Folk Festival in Canberra by the National Film and Sound Archive.

bandcamp recorded with Fannie Cochrane's descendant Ronnie Summers

Fanny Cochrane Smith was born on Flinders Island in Bass Strait in 1834. She was the last speaker of Tasmanian Language, and the last keeper of their songs and stories following the Tasmanian genocide of the 19th Century. Whether she really was the last full blood Tasmanian or not is academic. There is a vibrant Aboriginal community in Tasmania today, among whom are many descendants of Fanny’s own 11 children. The recording of this song is sung with Tasmanian Aboriginal Elder Ronnie Summers.

There’s a photo on a wall in a museum in Hobart, it was taken in October of 1903
Of a woman and a man with an Edison phonograph, recording her songs of the land and the sea
There’s a button on the wall there next to the photo, if you press it you can hear the ghosts of her songs
As they echo through the halls of that museum in Hobart, a scratchy reminder of all we’ve done wrong

Chorus:
The man and the woman and the Edison phonograph, salvaging pieces of song,
White man’s black cylinder, the story of progress, the song lives on, but the singers are gone.

Not yet 50 years since white man first settled she was born on an island in Bass Strait’s cruel seas,
Where the few who remained of her people were herded, and left there to die of despair and disease.
And at 7 she was taken from her mother and family to work as a servant and be taught about God,
But she still learnt the old ways, the songs and the stories, and with old Truganini she’d go bush for food,

Bridge:
And after Truganini, the scientists descended. Was Fanny Smith now the last of her race?
The futile debates it seemed never ended, as they took her dimensions and examined the shape of her face.

Chorus

And the man in the photo was born to an immigrant, he married a woman of inherited wealth,
And he lived in a mansion overlooking the harbour, worked hard for their business, did well for himself.
And in time he became a gentleman of leisure and developed an interest in the native folks’ ways,
He collected and catalogued those cultural treasures, archived and referenced for future display.

Bridge
He was a member of the Royal Society, propertied wealth, a man of propriety.
She and her people were torn from their land, betrayed, dislocated, dissected - according to plan,
But they came together through song.

There’s a photo on a wall in a museum in Hobart, it was taken in October of 1903,
Of a woman and a man with an Edison phonograph, recording her songs of the land and the sea.

And the man had a son, who in turn had a son,
Who in turn had a son, who was me.

And the woman had a son, who in turn had a daughter
Who in turn had a son, who in turn had a son, and the next one was me)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Sep 21 - 05:33 AM

LANDLUBBER'S SHANTY © Bruce Watson Bruce Watson Music

bandcamp

Like all my songs, this is a true story, inspired by a rather unpleasant sailing experience.

I'll tell you of a story, lads, that happened once to me,
HEAVE, HAUL, HO, AND OPEN UP WIDE,
Of the only time that I went out upon the briny sea,
HEAVE FROM YOUR STOMACHS, LADS, AND CHUNDER OVER THE SIDE.

As I went out one Sunday arvo on Port Phillip Bay,
HEAVE....
The Captain said, "She's blowing lads, we'll get some waves today,
HEAVE....

My friends had all impressed on me how sailing was so easy,
If that's the case, excuse me asking why I feel so queasy?

While looking at the sea so green my face was getting greener,
Whoops! I didn't make it to the side, we'll have to call the cleaner!

The First Mate and the Skipper said the boat was going beautiful,
But I grew more in need of some assistance pharmaceutical.

I wanted to be like those men at sea, who all go, "Arrrghh!"
But when I tried to go like that it seemed to come out, "Yeuargh"

The Captain said, "Now heave that yard-arm mizzen to the tops'l",
I says, Bollocks to your bulwarks, man, you can stick it up your fo'c's'le!"

Well, finally we made for home, returned to terra firma,
I says, "The firmer it is the less terror there'll be," and went off without a murmur.

The owl and the pussycat went to sea in a beautiful pea-green craft,
But now I've had a go myself, I reckons they was daft!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Sep 21 - 05:29 AM

BAD ABBOTT - © Bruce Watson, to the tune of Billy Field's 1980s hit 'Bad Habits'. Bruce Watson Music

video - Bad Abbott

Tony Abbott was, for our sins, Australia’s 28th Prime Minister from 2013 to 2015. He is now an adviser to the UK Board of Trade. Lucky UK!


Can’t help himself – Bad Abbott
He’s running wild, lost control
It’s a shame to see that our poor country
Is governed by –   Bad Abbott

Says he’ll stop the boats, just to get the votes
Says those people smugglers must be stopped
But what’s far, far uglier – is his own budgie smugglers
Can’t help himself   –   Bad Abbott

Well it’s clear he isn’t … a suppository of all wisdom
But he’s a bottom feeder much in need of class
Well that ill-considered quote really hit a bum note
And it shows Bad Abbott talks out of his arse

Well he promised us that there’d be no cuts
To health, education, pensions or the ABC
Well if I may be so blunt, the man’s an utter conundrum
Can’t help himself   –   Bad Abbott

He ignored the facts with the carbon tax
And he’s an un-reconstructed misogynist
I’d be happier at least if he’d ended up a priest
But instead we got a      Bad Abbott
Yes my mind would be at peace if he’d ended up a priest
But instead we got a      Bad Abbott

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Sep 21 - 05:22 AM

Pauline © Bruce Watson (Tune: Jolene, Dolly Parton) Bruce Watson Music

video- Pauline

Pauline Hanson is a crazy right-wing Australian politician. For songwriters and satirists she is the gift that just keeps giving!

Chorus:   
Pauline, Pauline, Pauline, Pauline
You’re bigoted, you’re racist and inane
Pauline, Pauline, Pauline, Pauline
I`m begging of you Pauline, please explain.

You’re ignorant beyond compare, your flaming locks of bright red hair
Don’t hide the fact that you’re so cruel and mean.
Your smile is like a breath of hate, your voice is like a thumbnail grating
On a blackboard – but you’d prefer a whiteboard, eh, Pauline!

You think that it’s really no big deal that you’re so xenophobic
Homophobic and halalophobic too.
I’m sick and tired and fed up with you being sick and tired and fed up
With everyone who’s different from you.

Chorus

You don’t fool me, I’m no chump, One Nation’s just a racist rump
You’re Australia’s own Donald Trump, Pauline.
You say on the loo we should sit, that squatting’s not appropriate
You’re really such a shining wit, Pauline. (Spoken: – that was a spoonerism)

You say that we’ll be swamped by Asians but don’t acknowledge white invasion
Stole this land from those who were here first.
You’re fine with kosher, but not halal, you’re uninformed and so banal
If I get any angrier I’ll burst.

Chorus

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: JennieG
Date: 15 Sep 21 - 03:03 AM

Another song about Arafura is 'Arafura Pearl' by Ali Mills. I can't readily find the words online, but I'm sure they are there somewhere!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Stewie
Date: 14 Sep 21 - 11:25 PM

BY THE ARAFURA SEA
(Eric Bogle)

When the warm tropic winds blow down from the north
I fancy I can taste the salt sea spray
And smell once more the sweet hibiscus bloom
Hear the rustling of the palm trees as they sway
And in another time, in another place
I'm a young man again I used to be
When I fell in love with the Tiwi girl
By the Arafura Sea

Her soft dark skin was velvet to the touch
Her eyes were black as coal
And in those eyes I sometimes glimpsed
A wise and ancient soul
The moon and the stars caught in her hair
And lit a path to infinity
When I made love to my Tiwi girl
By the Arafura Sea

Too soon the money and the jobs moved on
And as a slave to both then so did I
Though I swore to her that one day I would return
She knew it far beyond man's careless lies
So sure of her world, so sure of her place
She would not go away with me
And so I left my Tiwi girl
By the Arafura Sea

When the warm tropic winds blow down from the north
To my home here in the dry dusty south
Those old memories that those north winds bring
Are bitter sweet ashes in my mouth
But the bitterness is just a vain regret
The sweet dust somehow comforts me
When I think of my Tiwi girl
By the Arafura Sea

Youtube clip

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Sep 21 - 07:02 AM

I AM THE VERY MODEL OF A MODERN FOREIGN MINISTER, Words © Bruce Watson (Tune Arthur Sullivan) Bruce Wa

https://brucewatsonmusic.bandcamp.com/track/i-am-the-very-model-of-a-modern-foreign-minister

video- The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company

Andrew Downer was Australian’s from 1996 to 2007. He was quite a character.

I am the very model of a modern foreign minister,
My name is Alexander, and I’m not the least bit sinister,
I trot around the globe to proudly represent Australia,
I got the job ’cos as a party head I was a faili-ure.

My Mummy and my Daddy gave me such a dandy start in life,
They introduced me early to the joys of Liberal Party life,
I really am a pillock — (whoops, a pillar) of Adelaide society,
I’m cuddly as a teddy bear — that’s why you all desire me!

I can name the states of Africa in order alphabetical,
I never answer questions that are purely hypothetical.
In short, across the Commonwealth, from Canberra to Westminister,
I am the very model of a modern foreign minister.

I am the very model of a modern foreign diplomat,
Take any third world country I can say precisely where it’s at,
I’ve met with all their leaders and I get on just a treat with them,
They call me Alexander, which is really rather sweet of them.

Those nasty pasty terrorists will soon no longer trouble you,
’Cos me and Little Johnny are such mates with old George W,
I’ll fight that war on terror, I’ll be strong, I won’t be lenient,
Except in certain circumstances where it’s not convenient.

With rhetoric impressive my opponents I deflate ’em,
I can quote the words of Gladstone and of Churchill all verbatim.
In short, across the Commonwealth, from Canberra to Westminister,
I am the very model of a modem foreign minister.

I am the very model of a cocktail party animal,
With huge expense account, although my impact is quite minimal,
My overwhelming charm I use in full and frank discussi-ons,
And when I stuff it up I just ignore the repercussi-ons.

I’ve an extraordinary grasp of international relati-ons,
In tough negotiati-ons I show a lot of pati-ence,
I deal so diplomatically with problems I confront (you see),
That the leaders of the world they say to me, “What a great count-ery!”

I initiate initiatives completely ineffectual,
But that’s of no concern to me because I’m so cute and sexual.
In short, across the Commonwealth, from Canberra to Westminister,
I am the very model of a modern foreign minister.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Sep 21 - 06:43 AM

AMAZON © Bruce Watson Bruce Watson Music

video - Amazon
bandcamp

This tragic loss of forests continues. The song has been recorded by several artists including Eric Bogle. It won the Declan Affley memorial Songwriting Award at the 1990 Australian National Folk Festival in Kuranda.

Chorus:
In the time it takes to sing this song,
There’ll be four acres cleared in the Amazon.

The jungle burns all through the night,
They say you can see it from a satellite.
The smoke's so thick for miles around,
They have to close the airports down.
The green of the jungle turns to ?aming red,
As another cattle ranch gets the go-ahead.
Now hamburgers grow where the forest once stood,
Somehow I get the feeling that we've all been fooled.

Chorus

I heard a man on the TV say
That if they take the forest away
The world will be ruined, our future will go,
He's a Kayapo, so he should know.
But this very same man still cuts down trees,
For him it's a question of necessity,
A family to feed, and he must pay the rent,
But when you add it all up it just doesn't make sense.

Chorus

I heard about a man called Chico Mendes,
He fought the cattle ranchers head to head,
He taught the rubber-tappers to stand up and fight,
To protect the forest, to protect their rights.
But the ranchers had their claims to lay,
They wouldn't let a conservationist stand in their way,
One night at his home they took him unawares –
Forty bullets in the back for Chico Mendes.

Instrumental (first half of verse)

(Repeat second half of Verse One)

Chorus

Now hamburgers grow where the forest once stood,
Another twenty years it might be gone for good

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Sep 21 - 06:18 AM

THE BEANIE SING © Bruce Watson 2010. Bruce Watson Music

video -The Beanie Song at Humph Hall, with a singing, beanie wearing audience

Bruce sang this one winter night at my folk club, The Loaded Dog in 2010 & took pics of members wearing beanies as he was collecting photos at the time. As always, I was wearing a hat, not a beanie, so I sent him a pic of one of my bears wearing a lovely felt beanie & if you don't blink you can see it!

Way way back around the dawn of time
When humans stepped out of the primordial slime
First they invented clothes then they invented the hat
Then someone said, "You can do better than that!"

Chorus:
You gotta have a beanie (You gotta have a beanie)
You gotta have a beanie (You gotta have a beanie)
You gotta have a beanie
Put it on your head

You can make 'em out of polar fleece or make 'em out of wool
You can make' em out of felt, which is really really cool
You can weave 'em, you can knot' em, they can even be crocheted
If you've got yourself a beanie, you've really got it made

Chorus

Now, every year in June way out in Alice Springs
They have a beanie festival, and oh what joy it brings
But Alice is so far to go for folks like you and me
So now we've got a festival right here in Torquay

Chorus

What do you call a beanie that's past its prime?
A has-beanie
What do you call a beanie designed by Paris Hilton?
A wanna beanie
What do you call a beanie that's been cooked and put into a can?
A baked beanie

Bridge:
I don't adore a fedora
A trilby doesn't thrill me
A beret isn't very good - compared to a beanie
A sombrero I won't wear, oh
A panama's anathema
A turban's so suburban - compared to a beanie

Chorus

So if you've listened to my story, to all the things I've said
You'll get yourself a beanie, and put it on your head
They're every shape and size, from a house to a zucchini
And an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot beanie

Chorus

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Sep 21 - 06:00 AM

THE OLD BUSH DANCE © Bruce Watson. Bruce Watson Music

bandcamp

video - with the Emu Creek Band, 1998

Old time dances are one of the most delightful parts of Australian folk culture. This song is sung to two slightly adapted traditional tunes: the Old Valetta Waltz and the beautiful Spanish Waltz.

It’s Saturday night in a small country town,
The women squeeze into their long flowing gowns,
The men swap their overalls for a tie and a suit,
Round up the kids, and it’s off in the ute.
At the hall ladies glide through the still summer air,
As the young and the old dance away the week’s cares,
Chasséeing, swinging and clapping their hands,
As they sway to the tunes of the accordion band.

Chorus:
They played, they played, those fingers danced lightly,
The notes cascade, we all danced so sprightly,
Those far off days, those Saturday nights,
When we danced the Waltz Cotillions & the Polka Quadrille.
(Instrumental - same tune as chorus)

It’s “Take your partners, please,” says the caller once more,
As the weary hot couples find their way to the floor,
For the Alberts Quadrille and the Waltz Country Dance,
A short introduction, then up strikes the band.
Young couples dance closely, some awkward and shy,
As the mothers and fathers keep a close watchful eye,
The kids weave and dart like a flock of galahs,
As the music drifts up through the night to the stars.

Chorus and instrumental

Now it’s karaoke bars and it’s poker machines,
For some people that’s what a good time out means,
Not for them the concertina, the banjo and bones,
The button accordion or the fiddle’s sweet tones.
Real music is people like you and me here,
Not woofers and tweeters and electronic gear.
So let’s sing and let’s dance for the music of old,
May it live on and on, may it shine through like gold.

Chorus and instrumental

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Sep 21 - 05:47 AM

it must be Christmas! Bruce Watson just sent me his promised list of songs - 25 of them, & only one has been posted - Reedy River Still flows, winner of the Bush Music Club 2014 Diamond Jubilee Song Competition, posted 28th Dec 2020.

THE THREE LIVES OF SHIRLEY ANDREWS, (Tune: Mudgee Waltz), © Bruce Watson Bruce Watson Music

video

Shirley Andrews was Australia's foremost authority on traditional social dance. She was also a driving force behind the 1967 referendum on Aboriginal rights, and a bio-chemist who made a significant contribution to the treatment of bi-polar disorder. The tune for this song is the Mudgee Waltz, a traditional Australian dance tune that Shirley danced to many many times.

Chorus:
She danced with all her heart and she showed us how
She fought for people’s rights, speaking strong and loud
And she showed us what a woman in science can do
We thank you so much, Shirley Andrews

As a young girl she saw Pavlova on the stage
Lit a fire in her heart from an early age
She wrote the bible of Australian folk dance
She’d be up on that dance floor when she had half a chance

Chorus

When she saw injustice she stood up to fight it
Racism was rife — she vowed to right it
She led the campaign in ’67 when all Australians were asked
To recognise our First Peoples as equals at last

Chorus

In the face of male bias she showed her defiance
She shone as a woman in the men’s world of science
Her research into lithium was so thorough and so clever
That it changed mental health care forever

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 29 Aug 21 - 08:50 AM

THE PORK BARREL SONG by of former Mudcatter Chris Maltby 2021 – Tune: “Travelling Down the Castlereagh”
Written for the 8th John Dengate Memorial Get Together,
video of the entire Zoom concert Chris's contribution starts about 1.01:

My name it is Scott Morrison, I like to speak in tongues,
There’s nothing I like better than slithering up the rungs
But when it comes to leadership, I haven’t got a clue
So to win the next election boys, I’ll tell you what I’ll do:

Pork, boys, pork – there’s not the smallest doubt,
We’ll need a lot of pork or we’ll be voted out
I’ll whistle up Josh Friedenberg, he also loves a lurk
And we’ll gussy up the budget for a bit more pork.

There’s always an inducement or a scam a vote to buy,
Building women’s change rooms or car parks in the sky
Bridget’s got a spreadsheet all black, blue and pink
To identify the marginals and cover up the stink.

And it’s cash, boys, cash – there’s never any doubt,
Announce loads of cash or we’ll be voted out
It’s easy making promises when you rarely have to pay
Just don’t forget the donors and you’ll be OK.

Now if there is a crisis, well I don’t hold a hose
Quarantine or vaccines you can stick ‘em up your nose
I’ll just make more announcements, they’ll never seem to stop
I’ve got a new one ready whenever any flop.

And it’s dodge, boys, dodge – there’s never any doubt,
I can’t be held responsible or I’ll be voted out
I’ll background all the media, and other clever lurks
Rupert will protect me, that’s how the system works.

So he’s got a useless front bench and women he can’t stand,
It’s plunder and destruction all across the land
This sorry tale of Scummo, you know it’s bloody true,
Take my advice, just listen and I’ll tell you what to do.

So it’s shift, boys, shift – there isn’t the slightest doubt,
If you want a bloody future, you’ll have to vote him out
Go tell your friends and neighbours, use body, heart and soul
And remember on election day to dump him in a hole.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: rich-joy
Date: 28 Aug 21 - 04:17 AM

Good to know, John!!

R-J :)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: GUEST,John Flynn
Date: 28 Aug 21 - 02:04 AM

Re Posting by Stewie on 26 July - Cob & Co
This was also recorded by Dunedin Band "Bluegrass Expedition" on Kiwi Records SLC-146 "Settling In" (1976).

I'm still here regularly

John in Perth

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Aug 21 - 11:59 PM

spreadsheet no. 1, 625 songs alphabetically by title, Aug - Dec 20

spreadsheet no. 2, 390 songs by date from Jan 21

both spreadsheets give name of Catter, time & date posted & sheet number as we have 26 sheets on this thread

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: rich-joy
Date: 27 Aug 21 - 11:36 PM

Well, good to know that We Three are in it for the long haul !!!
And JennieG reads everything - and hopefully GerryM too?!

But anyone else still visiting/reading???
And,
Anyone Else care to post any Aussie/Kiwi songs - pleeeeeze!

Sandra can send you the spreadsheet indices of what already exists in this thread (although I sadly admit to being behind in indexing from April 21 onwards :(   This turning 70 business puts added stresses on Life's Workload!!!

But sooooon!!!

Cheers, R-J

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Aug 21 - 10:16 PM

I haven't forgotten either, I'm collecting stuff - one project is 4 songs written in the 60s about the same event!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Stewie
Date: 27 Aug 21 - 08:34 PM

R-J, my apologies for double posting. Before posting, I did an edit/find and it was not found. If I had removed 'Drover' from the title search, it would have found your post.

I too have been busy with other things, but will get back to posting some songs soon.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: rich-joy
Date: 26 Aug 21 - 12:01 AM

Bugga. That "TAB" button gets me every time!

I was going to say that Chris Priestly seems to be going through his "back catalogue" at present and posting misc. recordings from earlier times. He has many excellent songs and stories and his website is well worth investigating :

https://www.youtube.com/user/chrisjpriestley/videos


R-J

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: rich-joy
Date: 25 Aug 21 - 11:55 PM

Nice one, Stewie - very fond of this song. And lovely to sing along with (like so many Kiwi comps).

Consequently, I posted it as "Rainbird in the Tea Tree" on March 25th of this year :)
Which just goes to show that you can't keep a good song down, eh!!


I'm still a few weeks away from getting back to my intended/promised songposts here in this thread, as I'm still rather busy.

But some day soon ..... :)


Cheers, R-J

PS

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Stewie
Date: 25 Aug 21 - 08:58 PM

DROVER (RAINBIRD IN THE TEA-TREE)
(Peter Cape)

When the rainbird sings in the tea-tree
And there's cloud on the hills at the back
Look out your window and you'll see me
Riding down the track

I'll be droving a mob of black-polls
And me dogs'll be footsore and done
But I'll sing out as I go past your window
To show you, you're the one

It's a long drove out from the Puhoi
By Woodcocks and Kaipara Flat
And I'm sick of me oilskins and gumboots
And the rain belting down on my hat

Got a stock whip over my shoulder
And a plain golden ring in my pack
So perhaps when I get to your window
I'll be pulling in off the track

Lyrics as printed in 'An Ordinary Joker: the life & songs of Peter Cape'.

Youtube clip

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Aug 21 - 09:08 PM

eek! I hit the wrong button - Petula singing 'Downtown' for those who need reminding of the tune!

Ralph lives in a large regional city that has not (yet?) had a lockdown, but as it is on a major highway & not far from other lockdowns, covids are probably eyeing the population.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Aug 21 - 08:59 PM

The Lockdown Song - Sincere apologies to Tony Hatch from Ralph Pride. Tune: “Downtown” Petula Clark, 1964.


When you’re at home, and you are feeling so lonely
It’s because - you’re in ...... .........LOCK DOWN
Staring at walls and wandering aimlessly ‘round
Is so much fun - you’re in ..............LOCK DOWN
Listening to Gladys, on the telly listing cases
Of people in the hospital, with plumbing in their faces,
Gasping for breath...............Bloody near death !

Chorus:
But that will not happen to you –
You can forget all your troubles,
Forget all your cares, you’re in ...LOCK DOWN
You will be safe - you’re in .......LOCK DOWN
Socially distancing ................LOCK DOWN
No better place you can be........Lockdown......Lockdown

Stay home from work, no need to go anywhere
And it’s because - you’re in ......LOCK DOWN
Think about the money, you can save on the fare
And it’s because - you’re in ......LOCK DOWN
But you can still go out and have, a run around the city
But don’t you go too far away, it’s really such a pity,
They’ll send you back home.................Wearing your mask!

Isn’t it nice we can rely on the army
It’s because - you’re in ............LOCK DOWN
Keeping us safely far away from each other
It’s because - you’re in ............LOCK DOWN
If you’re quarantining and, don’t answer at the knocking
They’ll send around a Bushmaster, and copters chop, chop, chopping
Coming for you............. A big hefty fine!

When it’s all over, and we’re all out in clover
And we’re all - not in...................LOCK DOWN
We can go take a cab, because we’ve all had our jab
And we’re all - not in...................LOCK DOWN
We won’t have to go and get those, things stuck up our noses,
Tough about the ones who now are, pushing up the roses
They didn’t survive.................Where were their jabs?

Last Chorus: (sung softer & softer until you finish with a whisper)
But that did not happen to you,
So, forget all your troubles,
Forget all your cares, because.....LOCK DOWN
We were so safe, because...........LOCK DOWN
Socially distancing................LOCK DOWN
Wearing our masks, because.........LOCK DOWN
Staying at home, because...........LOCK DOWN
Jabs in our arms, because..........LOCK DOWN
Queued up for hours, for ...... ...LOCK DOWN
Swabs up our noses, and ...........LOCK DOWN
Bloody near destitute.................LOCKDOWN
etc.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Stewie
Date: 01 Aug 21 - 10:45 PM

MY YOUNGEST SON CAME HOME TODAY
(Eric Bogle)

My youngest son came home today
His friends marched with him all the way
The flutes and drums beat out the time
As in his box of polished pine
Like dead meat on a butcher’s tray
My youngest son came home today

My youngest son was a fine young man
With a wife, a daughter and two sons
A man he would have lived and died
Til by a bullet sanctified
Now he’s a saint, or so they say
They brought their saint home today

Above the narrow Belfast streets
An Irish sky looks down and weeps
On children’s blood in gutters spilled
For dreams of freedom unfulfilled
As part of freedom’s price to pay
My youngest son came home today

My youngest son came home today
His friends marched with him all the way
The flutes and drums beat out the time
As in his box of polished pine
Like dead meat on a butcher’s tray
My youngest son came home today
And this time he’s home to stay

An old’un but a good’un related to the period of the ‘troubles’ in Ulster. From Eric’s ‘Scraps of Paper’ album.

Youtube clip

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Stewie
Date: 27 Jul 21 - 09:25 PM

Fair point, Jennie. I didn't mind it. After almost 40 years exclusively collecting CDs, I have bought a new turntable and have been dipping into my extensive bluegrass vinyl collection. However, I primarily posted the link because I had never heard of the lass.

Given the price of vinyl records, I reckon I'll stick to purchasing CDs.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Jul 21 - 06:25 AM

WHAT IS IN DOCUMENT J? by Joe Fernside, 1954

audio - Joe singing it in the John Meredith Collection, NLA Oral History collection

Oh, what is this Document J?
That's what we ask today.
There's no-one knowin', says Justice Owen,
What's in Document J?

Oh, there is a dirty big spy,
He's got a big Yankee eye.
He's a workers' snob, his name is Bob,
Would that be in Document J?

They're selling us out to the yanks,
The marbled millionaire cranks;
They control our oil, our uranium spoil,
Would that be in Document J?

They sympathize with the Japs.
They're saying they're very good chaps.
For war they'll train, they'll addle the brain
Would that be in Document J?

The poor are all born to be slaves,
They work them to their graves.
Let us unite, defend our right,
Would that be in Document J?

Oh, we love our own native land,
But we don't like the rich robbers' hand.
We will cleave to the poor, for evermore,
Would that be in Document J?

I've been doing a bit of research recently into Document J which was a prominent item in the Petrov affair. It was written by an Australian journalist, Rupert Lockwood who was a member of the Communist Party, & was one of the papers brought out of the embassy by Petrov when he defected in 1954. The day it was declared secret by the Royal Commission, the Communist party printed copies of what Lockwood said was his original document, not the fake referred to in the Royal Commission! John Meredith was one of the members who sold copies for a shilling. Document J was of great interest to the Commission & the public, including Communist Party members so Joe, a bean farmer in Terrigal who was a Communist, wrote a song about it, & sent the words to John Meredith.

Lyrics & info from Keith McKenry's biography of John Meredith.

wikipedia reporting on Soviet espionage in Australia, aka Petrov affair

National library Public List (36 items) Research Question: In what ways was the Petrov Affair used as propaganda by various interests in Australia from 1954 to 1956?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Jul 21 - 05:45 AM

Lionel Long's version is everywhere on youtube, but he was more a country singer than a folk singer.

extract from wikipedia (early 60s) - It was this folk music revival that made EMI Columbia insist that Long move away from his love of country music and record folk music.

But he did put out a lot of folk records.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: JennieG
Date: 26 Jul 21 - 11:38 PM

Oh my, Stewie....."The cross of the south" bluegrass style......not so sure. I do like bluegrass music but perhaps this one could have been left alone, it's too fast to get the words - and, as it's telling a story, that's a bit of a waste.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Stewie
Date: 26 Jul 21 - 10:21 PM

THE BALLAD OF COBB & CO
(Anon)

There's a hustle and a bustle in the old hotel tonight
The bar is full to bursting and the lights are gay and bright
They're waiting for the horses that are beating through the night
And they're waiting for the coach of Cobb & Co

Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co
And they're waiting for the coach of Cobb & Co

There's Billy Jones the jackeroo still breathless from his ride
He’s bought a brand-new sulky and it’s standin' just outside
He's waiting for the pretty girl who's going to be his bride
And she's coming on the coach of Cobb & Co

Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co
And she's coming on the coach of Cobb & Co

Now the horses hooves are drumming, in the distance they're a-coming
A far-off cloud is moving ‘cross the plain
At breakneck speed they're driving, pretty soon they'll be arriving
There'll be lots of cheer when old friends meet again

There's Dan the old prospector and he's made his bag of gold
He made a lucky strike, about two thousand pounds I'm told
He's off to see the city lights before he gets too old
And he's leaving on the coach of Cobb & Co

Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co
And he's leaving on the coach of Cobb & Co

Jim Burke is mighty worried 'cause the drinks are running dry
Unless he gets some money soon, he'll kiss his farm goodbye
He’s written to the bank and now he's waiting their reply
And he hopes it's on the coach of Cobb & Co

Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co
And he hopes it's on the coach of Cobb & Co

The driver's whips are cracking and the horses hooves are dragging
As across the red and dusty plain they race
There's a distant light a-burning and the passengers are yearning
For the comfort of a warm and kindly place

And someone shouts ‘they're coming’ and the door is opened wide
There's a rattle and a clatter and the coach is there outside
With horses hot and steamy from their long and dusty ride
With the coach that bears the name of Cobb & Co

Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co
With the coach that bears the name of Cobb & Co

Youtube clip

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Jul 21 - 09:54 AM

I learnt that song by hearing it when it was Top 40!

I'd forgotten it, but sometime after a friend took over a folk club in 1995 (folk club? are there still folk clubs?) I heard it again & sang along cos I remembered all the words.

sandra (who still does & nowadays sings along with the video)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: rich-joy
Date: 25 Jul 21 - 08:01 AM

Crikey! So you did!
(not sure I even remembered that song, at that time :)

Apologies, Sandra.

At least we don't have too many duplications for the overall amount of songs, eh?!

R-J

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Jul 21 - 04:31 AM

oops, I posted this 17 Sep 20 - 05:41 AM, page 5.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: rich-joy
Date: 25 Jul 21 - 01:01 AM

Back on May 23rd, I posted Kevin Johnson’s song “THE WHALES ARE SINGING TO ME (A WHALER’S LAMENT)” and I had meant to also post Fielding & Dyer’s popular number from c.1971, loosely based on Melville’s “Moby Dick”.
Now I notice Sandra has posted in that old thread about a remake of the film/story/song, so here it is :


THE WHALE

Terry Fielding & Fred Dyer


(Refrain :) Di Di Di Di Di Di Di Di

They sailed from port one morning when the weather it was fair
A gentle breeze it pushed them and no one gave a care
They sang and danced and laughed that night and opened up a keg
They're out to catch the monster whale that took the captain's leg.

Refrain

The Captain said a piece of gold for he who sees my whale
So bend your backs and row me lads; I know that we won't fail

(Chorus :)
Bend your backs and row me lads and take me to me whale
To-night we'll sing and dance and tomorrow night we'll sail
We'll sail into the harbour; no prouder men there'll be
We'll show them all we've captured the monster from the sea.

Refrain

They saw the whale one morning when the weather it was fair
The men were white as ghosts, but the Captain didn't care
I'll take this whale myself he said; the weak can stay behind
The strong can share my glory and tonight they'll share my wine.

Refrain

The whale it came up closer; it was bigger than the sky
They lowered down the longboat and they heard the captain cry.

Chorus

The whale it came so close that it almost tipped the boat
The captain raised his spear and he rammed it down its throat
The whale it gave a mournful cry and lifted its great tail
And brought it down a-smashing on their small boat like a gale.

Now a hundred years have passed since the Captain and his men
Went below to spend their days in Davy Jones' den
The whale it goes on living but inside it wears a scar
And if you’re ever near that place, a voice calls from afar.

Chorus

We’ll show them all we've captured the monster from the sea (X3)


c.1971 and loosely based upon Herman Melville’s classic MOBY DICK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYxE5FevaYg&t=72s

[YT clip is illustrated with clips from the film “Moby Dick” with Patrick Stewart]



R-J

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: Stewie
Date: 24 Jul 21 - 11:28 PM

Back in December last year, JennieG posted the lyrics to 'The Cross of the South'. I stumbled upon this rollicking rendition in a clip by Seona McDowell who was totally unknown to me. Evidently, she made an LP of Australian folksongs for Folkways which later became Smithsonian Folkways. Despite the incongruous bluegrass backing, it is not without its charm.

Youtube clip

Some info on Seona McDowell on Paul the Stockman's site:

Click

Where did she perform in Australia?

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Australia/NZ Songbook
From: rich-joy
Date: 20 Jul 21 - 10:25 AM

More from the pen of the wonderful Kev Carmody. I was reminded by Amergin's 2013 post in the currently resurrected thread "A Last Song Circle for Katlaughing" :


MOONSTRUCK

Kev Carmody

When the western sky’s ablaze
And the sun lays down to rest
When the curlew starts to cry
And the birds fly home to roost
When the full moon begins to rise
Satin moon beams on my face
Beauty of the night goes far beyond
Far beyond both time and place

[Chorus]
   No-one’s lost who finds the moon
   Or the sweetness of the wattle’s bloom
   Rebirth with the rain in spring
   Or the dingo’s howl on the autumn wind
   Spirit of the moon here calls me home
   Spirit of the moon here guides me home

Moon it draws me to the scrub
Night voices raised in song
Past the water lilies bloom
In that tranquil billabong
Walkin’ on the shadowed leaves
That are reflected by the moon
To the rocks and hills an’ caves
Where the dingo’s pups are born


   No one's lost who finds the moon
   Or the sweetness of the wattle's bloom
   Rebirth with the rain in spring
   Dingo's howl on the autumn wind
   Spirit of the moon here calls me home, whoa
   Spirit of the moon here guides me home

Stars ablazin’ across the sky
In the brilliance of the Milky Way
I’m surrounded by the beauty
Of every night and every day
Walkin’ towards that morning moon set
Caress of moonlight on my skin
Knowin’ that freedom of not carin’
Of why I’m goin’ or where I’ve been


   No one's lost who finds the moon
   Or the sweetness of the wattle's bloom
   Rebirth with the rain in spring
   Dingo's howl on the autumn wind
   Spirit of the moon here calls me home, whoa
   Spirit of the moon here guides me home


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=340mRtOIWvw

sung by Sara Storer, and Kev Carmody speaks

from 2007 Cannot Buy My Soul : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannot_Buy_My_Soul



R-J