"Queensland Whalers"
-Eric Bogle
I've sailed the North Atlantic with ice flows in the breeze
I've sailed the Dutch East Indies o'er the calm blue sunny seas
When I think of missing seamen me heart returns again
To a season spent in Moretan Bay with Queensland Whaling Men.
Yo-ho you Queensland Whalers, you've cut the sugar cane
You've driven herds of cattle o'er the dry and dusty plain
You've dug the ore at Isa, laid countless miles of rail
And now you've come to Moreton Bay to catch a Humpback Whale
To men who've chased the brumbies, caught bullocks by the tail
It really is no problem to catch a humpback whale
You steer your iron sea-horse, poke your gun through the rigging struts
And when she runs through the coral scrub, you belt her in the guts
Yo-ho you Queensland Whalers, you've cut the sugar cane
You've driven herds of cattle o'er the dry and dusty plain
You've dug the ore at Isa, laid countless miles of rail
And now you've come to Moreton Bay to catch a Humpback Whale
Now men up in the crows nest, so whaling legends go
When they spy a humpback whale they yell out "Thar She Blows!"
But here in sunny Queensland you'll often hear them shout
"There goes a bloody beauty mate, so get yer finger out!"
Yo-ho you Queensland Whalers, you've cut the sugar cane
You've driven herds of cattle o'er the dry and dusty plain
You've dug the ore at Isa, laid countless miles of rail
And now you've come to Moreton Bay to catch a Humpback Whale
From Moreton to Caloundra, bronze whaler sharks abound
They wait like dingoes in the scrub for a wounded beast that's down
But but for all their bloody savagery, well they just can't compare
With the big bite that the tax man takes when he gets hold of your share!
Yo-ho you Queensland Whalers, you've cut the sugar cane
You've driven herds of cattle o'er the dry and dusty plain
You've dug the ore at Isa, laid countless miles of rail
And now you've come to Moreton Bay to catch a Humpback Whale
And when the season's over, we'll head for Brisbane Town
And in the nearest boozer our sorrows we will drown
With beer and firey whiskey and when we've had enough
We'll steer a steady zig zag course and never give a stuff!
Yo-ho you Queensland Whalers, you've cut the sugar cane
You've driven herds of cattle o'er the dry and dusty plain
You've dug the ore at Isa, laid countless miles of rail
And now you've come to Moreton Bay to catch a Humpback Whale
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