Why do I sit up late at night,
Putting my soul and all my might
Into the many songs I write
For our country people ?
Australia’s outback people.
Why do I sit for hours in here,
What made a derelect case of beer,
Or a fallen woman’s hopes and fears?
Because they are our people.
Australia’s busy people.
M-m, m-m, m-m
Why do I listen to the old men lie,
How men were better in days gone by ?
A grievous end, and here is why,
I feel for those old people.
Australia’s old time people.
How do I know what the young folks feel,
Blindly reaching out to feel
Something solid, something real
To lead Australian people ?
Proud Australian people.
M-m, m-m, m-m
Why do folk with coloured skin
Open their doors, invite me in ?
‘Cause Bungee’s people and I are kin,
He knows I know his people.
Those real Australian people.
Why do I sit up late at night,
Putting my soul and all my might
Into the many songs I write ?
Because I love my people.
Australia’s working people.
M-m, m-m, m-m, m-m, m-m….
