This poem was inspired by the terrible (and largely avoidable) flood that hit Brisbane in 2012. American Pie just seemed to align with it
Can be sung to the tune of American Pie.
Long long time ago
I can still remember
The Queensland flood of ‘74.
And I knew when the flood came back
It would inundate my Brisbane shack.
And maybe I’d be homeless for a while.
The swollen river made me shiver.
With every Courier Mail I’d deliver.
Bad water at the doorstep.
I couldn’t take one more step.
I can’t remember if I cried.
When I read about the folks who died
But something touched me deep inside
The day the flood came through.
I was singing
Hi, hi Ms Anna Bligh
Had a peak at Breakfast Creek while the pub was still dry.
Those good old blokes were drinking Bundy and cokes
Singing, this might be the day that we die.
This might be the day that we die.
Did you write the book of flood?
And do you have faith you’ll clear the mud?
When the SES says you can?
Do you believe in things that float?
Did neighbours save your motor boat?
And can you teach me how to row real slow?
Well I know that you were both wet through
‘Cos I saw you paddling your canoe.
You both kicked off your shoes
Man I dig those rescue crews.
I was a lonely teenage brute
With daggy shorts and a pickup ute
But I knew I’d just my birthday suit
The day the flood came through.
I started singing
Hi, Hi Ms Anna Bligh
Had a peak at Breakfast Creek while the pub was still dry.
Those good old blokes were drinking Bundies and cokes
Singing, this might be the day that we die.
This might be the day that we die.
Helter skelter in a summer swelter
Then a wall of water hit our shelter.
Eight metres high and rising fast.
It landed foul upon the mast
I watched a walkway and then a fridge
Float past me on their way to the Gateway Bridge
Now the day-time air was a putrid stench
While the water covered my garden bench.
We all got to evacuate
No chance to say g’day mate!
The marching SES refused to yield
Do you recall the character revealed?
The day the flood came through?
We started singing
Hi, Hi Ms Anna Bligh
Had a peak at Breakfast Creek
While the pub was still dry.
Those good old blokes were drinking Bundies and cokes
And singing, this won’t be the day that I die.
This won’t be the day that I die.
Oh and there we were in the homes we’d built
Possessions ankle deep in silt
But we’ve got time to start again.
So come on Bruce be nimble, Bruce be quick
A flash flood surges at quite a lick
Cause flood is the devil’s other friend.
Oh and as I watched spellbound from the bank
I saw the walkway and a water tank
No angel born in hell.
Could break that river’s spell.
And as the water climbed high in the night
A tugboat captain saw the light
And steered that walkway out of sight
Thus saving, the Gateway Bridge
He was singing
Hi Hi Premier Anna Bligh
Had a peak at Breakfast Creek while the pub was still dry
Those good old blokes were drinking bundies and cokes
Singing this won’t be the day that we die.
This won’t be the day that we die
I met a girl who sang for maroons* {*pronounced “marones”)
And I asked her for some happy tones.
But she just smiled and turned away.
So I went down to the sacred store.
Where I’d bought some Bundy the day before.
But the man there said the drinks are in the bay
And in the streets the volunteers teamed
Cleared up rubbish; or pressure steamed
Aussies passed the hat around; And brought stuff from higher ground
And the three men I admire most
The poolman, electrician and TV Host
They caught the last bus from the Gold Coast
To help, with the big cleanup.
And they were singing
Hi Hi Ms Anna Bligh
Had a peak at Breakfast Creek now the pub is back dry
But them good old blokes are out helping folks
Singing This won’t be the day that we die
This won’t be the day that we die.
They were singing
Hi Hi Ms Anna Bligh
Had a peak at breakfast Creek now the pub is back dry
Them good old blokes are helping other folks
Singing this won’t be the day that we die
This won’t be the day that we die.
John Aldersley 2012
