Away back in the good old days

when men could find a job;

When money was as good as gold

and tax was just two bob;

When men would work and say with pride

that they weren’t on the dole;

T’was then that politicians came

to play an active role.

 

“We must unite,” the statesmen said

“in case we have to fight;

We need a central government

to maximise our might.

We’re all Australians too, you see,

not rough colonial folk;

We need a sign to show the world

this nation is no joke.”

 

“We’ll plan a grand new Commonwealth

of which we can be proud;

We’ll build a national capital

with lakes and parks endowed;

For no expense can be too much

with national pride at stake;

Our children will recall with thanks,

we did it for their sake.”

 

They confiscated men and tools

to build themselves a home;

It started with a gabbing place

where useful flocks once roamed.

They capped the hills with monuments

and manicured the grounds

And the quarters of their servants

spoilt the land for miles around.

 

Then their horde of tax collectors

spread like locusts through the land,

And their rules and regulations

drained the cash to lawyers’ hands.

The courts became political

(mere creatures of the State)

The rule of law and common sense

became quite out-of-date.

 

The people then grew restless

at this cross they had to bear;

“It’s time for us to question

if this road leads anywhere.

What should have been our watch dog

sitting quietly by the gate

Is in the house and now he snarls

if we don’t fill his plate.”

 

We must dismiss the traitors

who have got us in this mess;

The federation must return

to things it can do best.

Defence is what we hired them for

not meddling in our lives;

If they protect, while we produce

a new dawn will arrive.”

 

Words by Viv Forbes

Image Credit: Pixabay