Page 18 - eMuse Vol.9 No.01_Classical

When “A Song of Rain” was written Australia’s population was only Because the breeze blew sou’-by-east across the China Sea;
four million as will be noticed at the end of the first stanza. Or else, because the thing was willed for all eternity
A Song of Rain By gods who rule the rushing stars, or gods long aeons dead,
The earth is made to smile again and living things are fed.

Mile on mile from Mallacoota
Because a little vagrant wind veered south from China Sea; Runs the news, and far Baroota
Or else because a sunspot stirred; and yet again, maybe Speeds it over hill and plain,
Because some idle god in play breathed on an errant cloud, Till the slogan of the rain
The heads of twice two million folk in gratitude are bowed. Rolls afar to Yankalilla;
Pater, pater . . . Boolcoomatta Wallaroo and Wrrawilla
Adelaide and Oodnadatta, Shout it o’er the leagues between,
Pepegoona, parched and dry Telling of the dawning green.
Laugh beneath a dripping sky. Frogs at Cocoroc are croaking,
Riverina’s thirsting plain Booboorowie soil is soaking,
Knows the benison of rain. Oodla, Wirra, Orroroo
Ararat and Arkaroola Breathe relief and hope anew.
Render thanks with Tantanoola Wycheproof and Wollongong
For the blessings they are gaining, Catch the burden of the song
And it’s raining — raining — raining! That is rolling, rolling ever
O’er the plains of Never Never,
Because a heav’n-sent monsoon the mists before it drove; Sounding in each mountain rill,
Because things happened in the moon; or else, because High Jove, Echoing from hill to hill . . .
Unbending played at waterman to please a laughing boy, In the lonely, silent places
The hearts of all a continent are raised in grateful joy. Men lift up their glad wet faces,
Weeps the sky at Wipipee And their thanks ask no explaining —
Far Farina’s folk are dippy It is raining — raining — raining!
With sheer joy, while Ballarat C. J. Dennis
Shouts and flings aloft its hat.
Thirsty Thakaringa yells; . . . And on the subject of unique Australian place names,try these. . .
Taltabooka gladly tells
Of a Season wet and windy; On The Queensland
Men rejoice on Murrindindie;
Kalioota’s ceased complaining;
For it’s raining — raining — raining! Railway Lines
Because a poor bush parson prayed an altruistic prayer,
Rich with unselfish fellow love that heaven counted rare; On the Queensland Railway lines
There are stations where one dines;
And yet, mayhap, because one night a meteor was hurled
Across the everlasting blue, the luck was with our world. Private individuals
Also have refreshment stalls.
On the wilds of Winininnie
Cattle low and horses whinny, Chorus Bogan-Tungan, Rollingstone,
Frolicking with sheer delight Mungar, Murgon, Marathon(e),
From Beltana to The Bight, Guthalungra, Pinkenba,
In the Mallee’s sun drenched towns, Wanko, Yaamba — ha, ha, ha!
In the huts on Darling Downs, Pies, and coffee, baths and showers
In the huts at Yudnapinna, Are supplied at Charters Towers;
Tents on Tidnacoordininna At Mackay the rule prevails
To the sky all heads are craning — Of restricting showers to males.
For it’s raining — raining — raining!
Iron rations come in handy
Because some strange, cyclonic thing has happened — God On the way to Dirrandbandi,
knows where — Passengers have died from hunger
Men dream again of easy days of cash to spend and spare. During halts at Garradunga.
The ring fair Clara coveted, Belinda’s furs are nigh,
As clerkings watch their increments fall shining from the sky. Males and females high and dry,
Hang around at Durikai,
Rolls the thunder at Eudunda;
Leongatha, Boort, Kapunda Boora-Mugga, Djarawong,
Send a joyous message down; Giligulgul, Wongalpong.
Sorrows flooded, sink and drown. Let us toast, before we part,
Ninkerloo and Nerim South Those who travel, stout of heart,
Hail the breaking of the drouth; Drunk or sober, rain or shine,
From Toolangi’s wooded mountains On a Queensland railway line.
Sounds the joy of plashing fountains;
Sovereign Summer’s might is waning; A Queensland Folk song c 1860s
It is raining — raining — raining! Author Unknown — re-published in
“The Queensland Centenary Songbook”, 1959
18 eMuse January 2020