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 blighters 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 on, 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 on, etc.
'0w'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 on, etc.
W'en old mother Britain
Calls yer native land
Take a —- rifle
In yer —- 'and
Keep yer —- upper lip
Stiff as stiff kin be,
An' speed a —- bullet for
Post- —- -ity.
CHORUS:
Get a —- move on, etc.
W'en the —- bugle
Sounds "Ad- —- -vance"
Don't be like a flock er sheep
In a —- trance
Biff the —- Kaiser
Where it don't agree
Spifler- —- -cate him
To Eternity.
CHORUS:
Get a —- move on, etc.
Fellers of Australier,
Cobbers, chaps an' mates,
Hear the —- German
Kickin' at the gates!
Blow the —- bugle,
Beat the —- drum,
Upper-cut an' out the cow
To kingdom- —- -come!
CHORUS:
Get a —- move on,
Have some —- sense.
Learn the —- art of
Self de- —- -fence.
Notes
(With some acknowledgments to W.T. Goodge.)
Footnote to 1915 reissue - 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.
"Den"
The Bulletin, 12 November 1908, Red page
Note: Dennis acknowledges W.T. Goodge at the end of this poem. The piece he was referring to was The Great Australian Adjective.
Note by R.H. Croll -
"Dennis amended his Australaise, as published in Sydney Bulletin, to make it topical for the First World War and J.G. Roberts and I paid for its publication in this form for distribution to the troops in camp."
(undated)
From McLaren Collection (Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne) item 622/30
In a published book
- Favourite Poems of C J Dennis • next in list
- Backblock Ballads and Later Verses • next in list
- Selected Verses of C J Dennis • next in list
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Comments
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I think anyone could have a lot of fun with this particular poem. I personally this it is so clever that CJ left it the readers own devices to add whatever word took their fancy.
In 1915 'blooming' or 'blessed' would have been the norm but during subsequent wars, somehow I don't think they would have been the first choice.
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie !!!!
~Von~
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