Jim Haynes - Australiana specialist

Jim Haynes is one of Australia's foremost entertainers, and a specialist in Australiana.   In show  200629 which went to air in Sydney on 20/July/2006 and on Bluegrasscountry.org on the week of 12-19 August,  we played a song by Jim called "Weelabarabak For Me".  It's a fast-paced song with lots of references to Australian places and icons.   There are many listeners to the show around the world who wont understand much of what was in the song, so for that reason I thought it might be helpful to put a translation on the web site.

The song is copyright Jim Haynes, and if you enjoyed the song, why not check out some of Jim's other material  -  books, poetry, songs - on his web site at jimHaynes.net

"I try to write music that captures people’s humanity - their quirks and their funny habits, but also their desire to do the right thing and make it all work out in the end."

"My humour and satire are meant to be gentle, to make people laugh and feel good.

Jim Haynes’ real talent is his ability to cut through to the heart of our national spirit - that larrikin streak that runs through all Australians, and our strong sense of mateship and a fair go. He’s more than happy to take mickey out of himself, but can also bring to life poignant moments or memories with which everyone can identify

The Song Translated

I bet I've been to your home town, I've been wanderin' through Wando and Wangaratta, Weeth valley, Wagga Wagga, Winky Werris Creek, Wallaroo, Wallerawang, Wonthaggi, Windang, Wodonga or Wingeree, YOur home town's fine, but so is mine where my place waits for me ..... It's a well-worn whitewashed weatherboard shack In Warratah street, west Weelabarabak With a well-watered wattle by the window at the back And it's where I wanna stay You say where in the world is Weelabarabak I say it's where I want to be no matter where I wander anywhere down under it's Weelabarabak  for me.	Jim  Haynes is a specialist in Australiana, singing, writing and performing songs and poetry about the Australian lifestyle.  This song will be a bit confusing to a lot of people who havent lived aroudn the Australian idiom for a while.   So I thought I'd have a go at translating it for non-Australians to enjoy.  (If you liked the song, you can get lots more of JIm's excellent work at his web site, www, jimhaynes.net.)
Woodenbong Willawong, Wondillagong Way out Whyalong way Wollambeen Willagee, Wallawalla, Werrigie Wonaroo double-u A, Woy Woy, Worrawong and Wollongong Wooloroon and Walla Falls Warringah and Wakerie and Warrerie but, Weelabarabak's best of all	These are all places in Australia - many of them tiny little outback towns.  The names are mostly Aboriginal words
The weather is wonderful it's always warm Wombats and wallabies will wander on your lawn willie wagtails and currawongs will warble up a storm in weelabarrabak for me where the wild wisteria grows so tall up Mrs watson's washhouse wall why, there's not one wowser in town at all Weelabarabak  for me.	Wombats and wallabies are Australian marsupials.  Wagtails and Currawongs are birds. Wisteria is a climbing plant
Weelabarabak  isn't on your map and you think i'm having you on Well you'd be surprised just close your eyes If you wanna know where I'm from It's a well-worn whitewashed weatherboard shack In Warratah street, west Weelabarabak  With a well-watered wattle by the window at the back And it's where I wanna stay	Is Weelabarabak a real place?  Jim Haynes says so.  His friend Greg Champion, who we've heard many times on the show says it's an aboriginal word meaning "place that's very hard to find".
Well it's just the best town under the sun, Cos it's all of the others rolled into one Best of all it's where i'm from Weelabarabak for me.	And if you can learn this song and do it at Jim's pace, you're a better person than me!   I havent got a hope!