Meg's GST
By Geoff Francis and Peter Hicks
Mum and Dad and Daisy went to graduation day at Tassie Uni,
(It was a long hike from Glenorchy).
Someone had to go to get the shopping first and it was me who drew the card,
I did Coles, K-Mart and Target before we left.
And me I marched those shopping aisles my trolley in my hand,
The ads in all the papers showed us young and strong and clean,
But grown men shedding tears there were, and mothers on their knees —
God help me, it was Meg's GST.
From Northgate riding 36 to the dust of Sandy Bay,
I'd been in and out of buses now for months,
But the fares have gone up 10 per cent, just like the laundromat,
My body and clothes all need a real good scrub.
And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep,
And why on winter nights I shiver right down to my feet,
And what's this rash that never goes that I can't afford to treat,
God help me — it's Meg's GST.
Then someone called out "Taxman!" and the bloke behind me swore,
We couldn't afford chiko rolls, there was a God almighty roar,
Frankie, he stopped eating the day Meg danced to Johnny's tune,
God help me — he was going home in June.
I can still see Frankie, playing the jukebox in the Grand Hotel,
John Schuman's songs, all the hits of Redgum.
And I can still see Frankie lying groaning on the floor,
His body craved for food, but he could not afford none.
And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep,
And why on winter nights I shiver right down to my feet,
And what's this rash that never goes that I can't afford to treat,
God help me — it's Meg's GST.