Backblock Ballads and Later Verses/The Australaise

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Backblock Ballads and Later Verses
by C. J. Dennis

The Austra——laise

"The Australaise" was first published in The Bulletin on 12 November 1908 as an entry in a National Song Competition which drew 74 entries. The entry was entitled "A Real Australian Austra--laise", and won its author a special prize. It also appeared in Backblock Ballads and Other Verses (1913) and Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (1918). Footnote to 1915 edition: "Where a dash (——) replaces a missing word, the adjective "blessed" may be interpolated. In cases demanding great emphasis, the use of the word "blooming" is permissible. However, any other word may be used that suggests itself as suitable." Earlier editions also included this footnote: "(With some acknowledgements to W.T. Goodge.)".

628353Backblock Ballads and Later Verses — The Austra——laiseC. J. Dennis

The Austral——aise

    Fellers of Australier,
        Blokes an' coves an' coots,
    Shift yer —— carcases,
        Move yer —— boots.
    Gird yer —— loins up,
        Get yer —— gun,
    Set the —— enermy
        An' watch the —— run.

Chorus:
        Get a —— move on,
            Have some —— sense.
        Learn the —— art of
            Self de- —— -fence.

    Have some —— brains be-
        Neath yer —— lids.
    An' swing a —— sabre
        Fer the missus an' the kids.

    Chuck supportin' —— posts,
        An' strikin' —— lights,
    Support a —— fam'ly an'
        Strike fer yer —— rights.

Chorus:
        Get a —— move, etc.

    Joy is —— fleetin',
        Life is —— short.
    Wot's the use uv wastin' it
        All on —— sport?
    Hitch yer —— tip-dray
        To a —— star.
    Let yer —— watchword be
        "Australi- —— -ar!"

Chorus:
        Get a —— move, etc.

    'Ow's the —— nation
        Goin' to ixpand
    'Lest us —— blokes an' coves
        Lend a —— 'and ?

    'Eave yer —— apathy
        Down a —— chasm;
    'Ump yer —— burden with
        Enthusi- —— -asm.

Chorus:
        Get a —— move, etc.

    W'en the —— trouble
        Hits yer native land
    Take a —— rifle
        In yer —— 'and.
    Keep yer —— upper lip
        Stiff as stiff kin be,
    An' speed a —— bullet for
        Pos- —— -terity.

Chorus:
        Get a —— move, etc.

    W'en the —— bugle
        Sounds "Ad- —— -vance"
    Don't be like a flock uv sheep
        In a —— trance.

    Biff the —— foeman
        Where it don't agree.
    Spifler- —— -cate him
        To Eternity.

Chorus:
        Get a —— move, etc.

    Fellers of Australier,
        Cobbers, chaps an' mates,
    Hear the —— enermy
        Kickin' at the gates!
    Blow the —— bugle,
        Beat the —— drum,
    Upper-cut and out the cow
        To kingdom- —— -come!

Chorus:
        Get a —— move on,
            Have some —— sense.
        Learn the —— art of
            Self de- —— -fence!