The Mateship

John Howard:

Hang on a tic, just let me talk

'Cos you can tell by the way I use my walk

I'm just a bloke, a normal bloke, and nothin' more

I've got my home, I've got my health

I've got my lovely wife and kids,

I've got no tickets on myself

I'm just a bloke, an Aussie bloke, to the core.

So you know that I'd be grateful to the nation at large

If you thought it was appropriate to put me in charge.

Howard and Band:

Of the Mateship - anchors aweigh!

Howard:

We've decided you're invited to stay!

Howard and Band:

On the Mateship - welcome aboard!

Howard:

We could find a better kind of accord, uh-huh-huh.

Well I can jibe, and I can tack

So let the skipper take the chipper to Gallipoli and back

I'll be a bloke, an Aussie bloke, with Digger pride

We wouldn't mix with other crews

We won't consult with any cult promoting multiple views

We'll just be blokes. Dinkum blokes. Bona fide.

And I'd look to the community defending the land

If you took the opportunity to give me command.

Howard and Band:

Of the Mateship - hoisting the sail!

Howard:

Never throw a baby over the rail!

Howard and Band:

On the Mateship - flying the flag!

Howard:

You'll be clamouring to carry a swag, uh-huh-huh.

Howard and Band:

Mates would die for a mate

Mates are worth their weight in gold

Mates can rely on a mate

Howard:

So I'm told...

Now I'm a man, I'm not a boy

When they say "Aussie Aussie Aussie" I say "oy oy oy!"

Like any bloke, a rugged bloke, pretty tough

It's catching on, it's all the rage

Why even now I look around and see no women on the stage

Only blokes - Aussie blokes!

Band Member:

[Spoken] Hey - I'm a Kiwi!

Howard:

Close enough.

You could dwell upon tomorrow and the sorrow you feel

Or set a course for yesterday and give me the wheel.

Howard and Band:

Of the Mateship - rounding the buoy!

Howard:

No political correctness ahoy!

Howard and Band:

On the Mateship, anchors aweigh!

Howard:

We'll decide if you're invited to stay

On the Mateship...