And the old Spanish man he looked towards me and he slowly shook his head
‘Senor’ those same old songs again alas, alack he said.
‘Senor’ you see those fellows been drinking here for many year
They always come in after work and glut themselves with beer
And sing their patriotic songs so painful to my ear
‘Senor’ if they’re so homesick who force them to stay here.
‘Senor’ me too can be like them me can sing Spanish song
But me live in Australia and here me feel belong
Me come here to Australia escaping poverty
And if me wish to sing a song ‘Australian song for me’.
‘Senor’ me come to Australia in nineteen fifty two
Me sons and daugters Aussies and me wife an Aussie too
And me will not go back to Spain not even for Holiday
A week maybe in Shoreham just 60 K’s away.
‘Senor’ if they’re so homesick they’ve no chains on their feet
They can call to travel agent there’s one just down the street
He will sell to them flight tickets next week they are over
seas
And Australia will not miss them and I can drink in ease.
The Irishman was singing a song called ‘Galway Bay’
Tears in his eyes for Ireland twelve thousand miles away
And the Englishman was singing of loyalty to the crown
But the old Spanish man grew silent as he gulped his whiskey down.
Me must be off amigo and adios he said
And as he left the bar room I watched him shake his head
And the Englishman was singing ‘God Save Our Gracious Queen’
And the Irishman at counter end sang ‘Wearin O The Green’