Australia Day

By Paul Mc Cann

We all have a part to play on Australia Day .
In this dry parched land where patrons stand at the bar ,
waiting for a cool drink .

In the tropics crocs sit on river banks .
Bathers splash in the water and picnickers celebrate
Australia Day I think .

In the country farmers cut the cane ,
and gather in the crops ,
as sheep are sheared and dipped by men
who are all dust , sweat and guts .

In cities the business sector turn over and re-invest .
Smog fills the air and traffic jams up the streets where nothing shuts .

In the suburbs where herbs grow in small gardens ,
people fire up the Barby for Australia day underneath a blue sunny sky .

We're mostly all immigrants here far from our home .

Irish , Slavic's , Spaniards , Asians , Greek ,
all of us present day pioneers .

We are all Australians here and on Australia Day
we stake our claim in the future with all our mates ,
over a few beers .