The Man From Far Off Walgett

 

The man from far off Walgett
(with apologies to Banjo Patterson)
By Michael McNamara (as delivered at the Kerry Blockade)
There was movement at the blockade ‘cause the word had gone around
... That the ‘colt’ from far Walgett had got away.

The rig it was for climbing and young Dan decided he would have a go.
As he scaled the rigid structure and then sat astride the top
Chagrin was on the face of every cop.

As the sun beat down, relentless and the temperatures soared
Young Daniel was intent - “They won’t be bored”.

He pirouetted tightly and he spoke up so forthrightly.
His phone – it got a workout as he sat atop the rig
And with every call he did a little jig.

His story hit the wires
And boy did it light fires
‘Cause even though they orta
They refused to give him water.

They never dimmed his spirits nor served to give him pause
And they never had a hope of shaking his commitment to the cause.

When Arrow came a-running
In a panic it was stunning.
The company men were searching for a fix
And police negotiators were rolling out their tricks.

Communities united - They were gathered at the gate
In the desperate conviction they were in for quite a wait.
They finally sent up water
Much later than they orta
And they brought the man from Arrow
So that Dan could push his barrow.

Bob Irwin made his entry
As the MSS stood sentry
And the cameras rolled
As Dan was whisked away.

In the court of local Beenleigh
Daniel had his day on Monday
Whatever outcome follows his appointment with the judge
There is one truth they can never ever fudge.

For the community of Kerry and the country as a whole
Daniel’s actions played a cautionary role.

If the company’s not for listening and the government is coy
The people will decide it for themselves.

Before it gets to crisis and before it gets too late
There is only one real answer and that is to LOCK THE GATE.