Wednesday, March 2, 2011

On The Queensland Railway Line






On the Queensland railway lines
There are stations where one dines
Private individuals
Also run refreshment rooms

CHORUS

Bogan-Tungan, Rollingstone,.
Mungar, Murgon, Marathone,
Guthalungra, Pinkenba,
Wanko, Yaamba, - ha, ha, ha!

Males and females, high and dry,
Hang around at Durikai,
Boora-Mugga, Djarawong,
Giligulul, Wonglepong.

Pies and coffee, baths and showers
Are supplied at Charters Towers;
At Mackay the rule prevails
Of restricting showers to males.

Iron rations come in handy,
On the way to Dirranbandi,
Passengers have died of hunger
During halts at Garradunga,

Let us toast, before we part,
Those who travel, stout of heart,
Drunk or sober, rain or shine,
On a Queensland railway line


This parody of a German folk song was written by The Brisbane Realist Writers' Group in 1959. Printed in The Queensland Centenary Pocket Songbook.
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5 comments:

  1. TonyMarch 2, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Ah, the great debate...is it Guthalungra or Garthanungra, as some authorities have it?

    http://railwaystory.com/song/007.htm

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  2. FuzzyFebruary 29, 2020 at 8:05 AM

    Fourth line of first verse replace "rooms" with "stalls".
    That's how I learnt it decades ago, but I no longer have my copy of the Queensland Centenary Song Book so I cannot confirm whether or not I am correct.

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  3. UnknownMay 26, 2021 at 7:59 AM

    It is Guthalungra. Regards Terry.

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  4. Ian WithnallNovember 30, 2021 at 5:58 PM

    2nd and 3rd verses are in the wrong order. Makes more sense that the comment about males and females high and dry at Durakai follows the statement about showers being restricted to males in Mackay. Also agree that it's Guthalungra.

    ReplyDelete