Queensland Whalers Lyrics - Singles - Eric Bogle

"Queensland Whalers" 

-Eric Bogle 

I've sailed the North Atlantic with ice flows in the breeze 

I've sailed the Dutch East Indies o'er the calm blue sunny seas 

When I think of missing seamen me heart returns again 

To a season spent in Moretan Bay with Queensland Whaling Men. 

Yo-ho you Queensland Whalers, you've cut the sugar cane 

You've driven herds of cattle o'er the dry and dusty plain 

You've dug the ore at Isa, laid countless miles of rail 

And now you've come to Moreton Bay to catch a Humpback Whale 

To men who've chased the brumbies, caught bullocks by the tail 

It really is no problem to catch a humpback whale 

You steer your iron sea-horse, poke your gun through the rigging struts 

And when she runs through the coral scrub, you belt her in the guts 

Yo-ho you Queensland Whalers, you've cut the sugar cane 

You've driven herds of cattle o'er the dry and dusty plain 

You've dug the ore at Isa, laid countless miles of rail 

And now you've come to Moreton Bay to catch a Humpback Whale 

Now men up in the crows nest, so whaling legends go 

When they spy a humpback whale they yell out "Thar She Blows!" 

But here in sunny Queensland you'll often hear them shout 

"There goes a bloody beauty mate, so get yer finger out!" 

Yo-ho you Queensland Whalers, you've cut the sugar cane 

You've driven herds of cattle o'er the dry and dusty plain 

You've dug the ore at Isa, laid countless miles of rail 

And now you've come to Moreton Bay to catch a Humpback Whale 

From Moreton to Caloundra, bronze whaler sharks abound 

They wait like dingoes in the scrub for a wounded beast that's down 

But but for all their bloody savagery, well they just can't compare 

With the big bite that the tax man takes when he gets hold of your share! 

Yo-ho you Queensland Whalers, you've cut the sugar cane 

You've driven herds of cattle o'er the dry and dusty plain 

You've dug the ore at Isa, laid countless miles of rail 

And now you've come to Moreton Bay to catch a Humpback Whale 

And when the season's over, we'll head for Brisbane Town 

And in the nearest boozer our sorrows we will drown 

With beer and firey whiskey and when we've had enough 

We'll steer a steady zig zag course and never give a stuff! 

Yo-ho you Queensland Whalers, you've cut the sugar cane 

You've driven herds of cattle o'er the dry and dusty plain 

You've dug the ore at Isa, laid countless miles of rail 

And now you've come to Moreton Bay to catch a Humpback Whale