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
