An Aussie On Paper Poem by Francis Duggan

I know I can become an Aussie on paper but an Aussie on paper is all I would be
For a paper on it to say I am an Aussie would surely not make an Aussie out of me
I'm just an ageing migrant who came from Ireland though in Ireland I well may not live my last day
It well may be in this great Southern Country that my last remains are to forever lay
I do love Australia this Wonderful Country the Land of the red and the grey Kangaroo
Platypus, echidna, koala, emu and wombat as well as the white and the black cockatoo
A Land that was old in the age of the dinosaur a Land that was very old in the Dreamtime
A Land of the oldest race of Indigenous people their culture is honoured in story and rhyme
I never could acquire the accent of the Aussie my 'good day mate' to it has a foreign ring
But believe me I do love this Southern Country and of it's praises I am always happy to sing
You will not find one better than a good Aussie and good Australians they have never been rare
Good Aussies in generosity not found to be wanting their last fifty dollars with you they would share
I could only become a paper Australian a migrant I will be in this Land 'til I die
Suppose we are what we think we are but if I told you I was an Aussie you would tell me I Lie