(July 24 ,1971: Edmonton. Our friends, Tom and Helen Owen sailed to Australia, to return to where she was born. I wrote this song as a farewell tribute. It is sung to the tune of the Irish Rover’s “Unicorn.”)
A long time ago, when it all began, a red-headed Aussie came to claim her man.
It wasn’t long till she began to cuddle and coo, cause there stood Tom in blue.
So up they married and off they went for a 5-year stint on the continent.
But Germany’s cold, so word got around, “Guess whose moving to Barrie Town?”
Ontario was glad that they were sent. They made Tom District President.
They built Barrie Chapel with their might and main, but oh, those snows came on again.
Sometime later in the real Cold Lake, 50 below was more than they could take.
With 5 little kiddies and a few pets too, they looked like a walking zoo.
So here they are in the Klondike Town, to get an education and settle down.
But it didn’t take long for Helen to retort, “There ain’t enough sun here to tan my hide, sport!”
Now off they go to sunny Perth, clear on the other side of this silly earth.
Shouting, “Look what I brought you Maw, besides the kids and all – He’s out there in the hall.”
With his long-legged britches, both whites and blues,
Fuzzy white hair and white kid shoes,
His crazy ties attract the flies,
But sure as you were born,
He’s just the thing to keep me warm.
-Doug Garrett