Children’s School Songs & War Cries
Singing is acknowledged as a healthy and rewarding school activity. It is communal yet allows individuality. It encourages comradeship, concentration and memory; assists in understanding and appreciating melody; provides evidence of the potential of music. And above all, is highly enjoyable regardless of ability.
We now acknowledge many music styles; however, this was not always the case. Most school music was set by the syllabus ‘mafia’ and, frankly, in earlier times, was primarily dull, dull, dull. Much of it twee English songs of a semi-classical style. This echoed the popular belief of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that such classically-originated music was the only ‘healthy’ listening music and so-called ‘popular music’, especially vaudeville and, surprisingly, later, jazz, were evil music best left to the debauched. This might explain why so many school songs, sometimes known as school anthems or, in some religious schools, as school hymns, are texts praising God and encouraging the students to follow the righteous path of Christianity. One could comment that such intent is slightly misguided in today’s multicultural and rational Australia.
Many ex-students recall their school song with horror rather than affection. The musical settings were often turgid, and the verses were old-fashioned and difficult to remember. They simply didn’t roll off the tongue, nor were they particularly enjoyable to sing. Most songs were sung at assembly or on special events, like the school year welcome or the annual prize-giving.
Occasionally school songs divert from the norm using tunes like ‘Click Go the Shears’ or ‘The Farmer’s Boy’; however, the settings are usually hymns, marching songs or something like ‘Jupiter’ from the suite The Planets by Gustav Holst.
On the other hand, war cries grab anything from pop songs to bawdy army songs as their tune base and are all the more effective for it. Some songs and cries are short, others lengthy
School Songs
School songs are patriotic-style songs traditionally sung at school assemblies and particularly on special occasion days.
They are mostly Victorian in origin and therefore sound rather “twee”
to our 21st century tastes. Their words are also contrived, as is some
of the poetic rhyme. (I am generalizing here but the majority of these
songs appear to be of this style.)
The majority of school songs still being performed appear
to be those of girls’ schools. It is common knowledge that boys feel
uncomfortable singing, especially teenagers whose voices are changing
with adolescence.
Unlike the war cries these songs are usually taught as part of the school music program.
Rose Bay Public, NSW. (Contributed by Chris Maltby who added, “in the 1960s we felt extremely proud to sing this song.”)
We at Rose Bay stand united
Against the foe remain undaunted
“Ever Forward” is our motto to eternity.
Be it work or be it leisure
Let it always be our pleasure
To remain steadfast and ever forward, we shall go.
Strands of life are riven
Blow for blow is give
At work or play
Let all men say
We strove for honour and glory.
Ever Forward!
Ever Forward!
Ever Forward!
Oxley State School, Qld. (Contributed by Brodie Janet Miller)
At Oxley School, the years come and go,
Through happy and sad times, still we grow,
Success through effort is our rule,
We belong to Oxley School,
We belong to Oxley school.
Sydney Technical High School, Bexley. NSW (Contributed by Ross Barnard.
(Tune:‘Men of Harlech’)
See the Tech High School assembling
Floors and stairways all a-trembling
Happy smiles, faint hearts dissembling
As we march to school.
Trig and mensuration,
Atomic calculations,
Homework done
Or left undone
And Manners Maketh Man upon our hatbands…
All regard it as our motto
Some forget it too in toto
Still we caution (vocé sotto)
Don’t disgrace your school.
Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta. NSW (Contributed by Lilo Bolton who added, with the help of fellow ex student, Lynette Flanagan. Two contributors commented that, “we always replace Alma Mater with Have A Banana”. Another student also attended the same school and commented, “I was tortured at OLMC Parramatta. I do not have one school friend from that time, and I’d walk on burning coals rather than enter its portals again- or any Catholic institution, for that matter. However, I do remember that I belonged to Clare House and their song (“Ladies don’t have war cries!”) started like this “What’s the greatest house around/the spirit never knocks you down/C-L-A-R-E, Clare!” I remember because it was put to the tune of the Sorbent toilet paper advertisement. Somehow appropriate for a shitty time in my life!)
Come let us in joyous strain hail our alma mater
Stand and give a cheer once again; let every loyal student sing
ALMA MATER!
Think of all the happy hours, the gay and the carefree days
Hail the name of Alma Mater, the college of our hearts always.
Come today, don’t delay – sing of our glorious heritage
As we stand, hand in hand,
Ever pledging our hearts to the faith we love
When we meet, let us greet all the dear ones
Who guided our girlhood days
Here we go. Let us show how we love and cherish them all.
Come let us in joyous strain hail our alma mater…etc
(Repeat first verse to end with ) The college of our heart always.
Longreach School of DistanceEducation, Qld Words: Heath Family of ‘Ramsay Park’ Blackall
(Tune: ‘Ten Thousand Miles Away’)
Sing O, for outback children and the ways that we learn
Sing Oh for LSODE to whom we have to turn
To whom we have to turn to learn what we must know
To make our way in this big world wherever we choose to go
Chorus: So lift your voices high, high up to the sky
And sing for teachers, parents too, who help in all we do
Some day, we all will roam far away from home
But in our thoughts will always be our LSODE
We muster sheep and cattle but we get our schoolwork done
“On Air” lessons are a must each day for everyone
“Cos Effort Conquers Distance”, our motto tells us so
And far across those endless plains our papers all must go
Our schoolmates may be living many miles apart
But cubs and scouts and brownies, on air clubs and sport
Join us all in friendship, we work and play with zest
We’re proud to be the students of this school in Queensland’s west
Bowral Public School Song, NSW (Contributed by Erin Cahill)
Lord and saviour of mankind, be the master of my mind.
Bless and guide and strengthen still,
All my powers of thought and will.
While I ‘ply the scholar’s task, Jesus Christ be near I ask.
Help memory clear the brain, knowledge still to seek and gain.
Haberfield School.NSW (Source, Internet.
(Tune of ‘Jupiter’ from The Planets suite by Gustav Holst.)
Haberfield, your name we honour,
We dedicate to you,
Our talents whether great or small,
Our promise ever true.
We’ll serve your name in knowledge,
In sports, in ventures bold,
Your fame and glory near and far will n’er be left untold.
Let us strive to bring you loyal hearts,
Let service be our aim,
Praising Haberfield forever more,
We’ll honour still your name.
Lismore High School. NSW.
(Tune: ‘A Thousand Miles Away’).
Come let us sing of Lismore High
And sing of it with pride,
The school where we work and play
Our future lives decide.
By working hard and playing fair
We guard its noble name.
Oh, Lismore High, as the years slip by
We help to build its fame.
Oh, Lismore High, as the years slip by
We help to build its fame.
In Aspinall and Richmond house,
In Oakes and Harvey, too,
We never will let down the team
Our very best we do.
We swim, we run, we hit a ball,
We always play the game….
Oh, Lismore High, as the years slip by
We help to build its fame.
Oh, Lismore High, as the years slip by
We help to build its fame.
We’re young today in hearts and minds,
We always will be so,
For members of the school we’ll be
no matter where we go.
And when we leave behind our youth
We’ll still in song proclaim….
Oh, Lismore High, as the years slip by
We help to build its fame.
Oh, Lismore High, as the years slip by
We help to build its fame.
Strathfield South High. NSW Contributed by Linda Zaroyko.
(Tune: ‘Gaudeamus igitur’)
Strathfield South keep fine and free,
Honour and integrity.
Bright as day or dark as night,
Hope and truth our way shall light.
May we proud and glorious stand,
Yet always lend a helping hand.
May our school in loyalty endure
Hope and joy be ours forevermore.
Dover Heights School. NSW (Contributed by Elise Hawthorne)
There’s a school to whom we sing
So let our praises to her ring
We to her will glory bring
Glory, honour, dignity.
Chorus: Dover Heights our song to thee
Dover Heights we glory thee,
Dover Heights our praise to thee,
Glory. Honour. Dignity.
Sports and learning there maintained,
And truth and loyalty well sustained,
Friendships made to be retained,
Glory. Honour. Dignity
Dear to us in memory
though our school will always be
This will be our thoughts of thee,
Glory. Honour. Dignity.
Corinda State High School, Qld. (Contributed by Jennifer Pioch)
When I think about my future, all seems bright and fair to me
Yet everything’s in the shadow of uncertainty
But when I think about my school my heart is comforted
And I am given strength to face whatever lies ahead.
Corinda, Corinda, with your help I’ll someone be
Corinda, Corinda, the best of life to me.
Goulburn High School.NSW. (Contributed by Graham Chalker …from my memory 1962-1968)
Despite exams and lectures stern and jokes that went awry
For all its gifts of faith and friends our thanks to Goulburn High
Chorus: Come let the cheer resound
Come let the cheer resound
Our flag upon the blue and gold we’ll make its fame renowned
As years go by, we’ll see it bright
In dreams or memory strong
for Juste et Tenaciter will go with us along
St Rita’s College,Clayfield. Vic. (Contributed by Robert Burrell).
Nano Nagle, St Rita,
Shine before us like a star.
Light the path that we embrace,
Deeds, not words will win the race.
St Rita’s College light thy flame,
Heed the knowledge thou shalt gain,
Go forth into the world and be,
Virtute Non Nobis.
St Pious X College, Chatswood, NSW. Internet
Whenever call of duty sounds,
Whenever true hearts can make a stand,
There, indeed, we shall be found
St Pius’ sons will lend a hand.
Throughout the years, whatever the test
Your sons have stood with the brave and best,
At home or abroad, upholding ideas we adore!
When faith is imperilled or culture required,
Your sons are the foremost, defending the right;
Their arms are strong and their hearts inspired,
With lessons learnt ‘neath the blue and gold!
Sydney Girls High.NSW (Contributed by Janet Sernack. Two versions.
(Tune: ‘Men of Harlech’)
Famous old girls here returning
show the light of their discerning,
Honouring now, this place of learning –
Sydney Girls’ High School.
Toiling cannot tire them, they have hope to fire them
Day by day, in every way.
With ‘Labor Omnit Vincit’ to inspire them.
Echoes from the past are ringing;
Youth is brief and time is winging;
Past and present join in singing:
Sydney Girls’ High School.
(Song now)
Rally round girls to acclaim her,
For our heritage proclaim her;
Loudly, proudly, let us name her
Sydney Girls’ High School
Toiling cannot tire us, we have hope to fire
Day by day, in work or play
With ‘Labor Omnia Vincit’ to inspire us.
Never slacken our endeavour;
Do not think this bond can sever;
Flourish now and flourish ever!
Sydney Girls’ High School.
School Song – Sydney Boys High, NSW Contributed by Chris Maltby. Contributor added, “In the seventies, we enjoyed singing “smell the smelly pong” in the first line, and adding a suitable grunt after the word “strain”
Come rally round boys young and old
And swell the happy throng,
And sing the song of Sydney High
In measures loud and long.
Though many are our trials severe,
With efforts none the less sincere,
We’ll overcome them year by year,
With courage bold and strong.
So sound once more the strain,
And let the cloisters ring again,
With efforts of our school’s great name,
The name of “Sydney High”!
Frensham, Mittagong School Song.NSW (Contributed by Sally Galletto)
Forty years on, when afar and asunder
Parted are those who are singing today,
When you look back and forgetfully wonder
What you were like in your work and your play,
Then, it may be, there will often come o’er you,
Glimpses of notes like the catch of a song –
Visions of boyhood shall float them before you,
Echoes of dreamland shall bear them along,
Follow up! Follow up! Follow up
Follow up! Follow up
Till the field ring again and again,
With the tramp of the twenty-two men.
Follow up! Follow up!
Routs and discomfitures rushes and rallies,
Bases attempted, and rescued, and won,
Strife without anger and art without malice, –
How will it seem to you, forty years on?
Then, you will say, not a feverish minute
Strained the weak heart and the wavering knee,
Never the battle raged hottest but in it.
Neither the last nor the faintest were we!
Follow up! etc….
Oh the great days. in the distance enchanted,
Days of fresh air, in the rain and the sun,
How we rejoiced as we struggled and panted –
Hardly believable, forty years on!
How we discoursed of them, one with another,
Auguring triumph, or balancing fate,
Loved the ally with the heart of a brother,
Hated the foe with a playing at hate!
Follow up etc.
Forty years on, growing older and older,
Shorter in wind, as in memory long,
Feeble of foot, and rheumatic of shoulder,
What will it help you that once you were strong?
God give us bases to guard or beleaguer,
Games to play out, whether earnest or fun;
Fights for the fearless, and goals for the eager,
Twenty, and thirty, and forty years on!
Follow up etc.
Vaucluse Boys High School. NSW Contributed by Tony Suttor. The school motto was Light of Learning. The song is attributed to a teacher, A.W. Howarth).
With common bonds we’re gathered here
To prosper and to succeed,
The light of learning shining clear
To guide us in our need.
Chorus: We’re boys of Vaucluse High School —
‘Tis Learning’s crowning jewel.
Our goal’s to have its name and fame
Resound with wide acclaim.
We boast no idle motto
And all the world shall know
The words “Lumen Scientiae”*
Ring out for Vaucluse High.
When school is done and fortune won,
Our future bright and assured,
In years to come we’ll fear no one
With confidence our sword.
Kiama High School.NSW (Contributed by Steve Theo)
Oh, some may sing the glories of older schools than mine
whose records and whose stories the halls of fame enshrine
but dearer than all others and fairer far to me
is my own school who every rule still claims my loyalty.
chorus: Kiama High School wherever I may be
All through my lifetime I’ll remember thee
Truths you have taught me, your spirit firm and free
Kiama High School my lasting loyalty.
An untold bond will bind me to teachers who have worked
to help me mould my future when hardship surely lurked
so through the years I’ll cherish above all worldly gain
The spirit of a High School that stirs in this refrain.
Padstow North Primary School. NSW (Contributed by Karen Necklen)
Padstow North is our school and Excelsior our motto, and
Excelsior means to strive for the heights, for the best in things
As we go proudly forth from our school, Padstow North.
Corpus Christi College, Nundah, Qld. (Contributed by Helen Geri)
Corpus Christi College
Built on Mount Saint Joseph
Deep and strong our faith in Christ
Who is our rock foundation
Corpus Christi hear our call
Life is meant to challenge all
Full of hope we answer
Our hope is our light.
Gympie State High School. Qld. (Contributed by Clair Bear)
Let every good fellow now join in a song,
Vive la compagnie,
Success to each other and pass it along
Vive la compagnie.
chorus:Vive la vive la vive l’amour
Vive la vive la vive l’amour
Vive l’amour vive l’amour
Vive la compagnie.
A friend on your left and a friend on your right,
Vive la compagnie.
In love and good fellowship let us unite,
Vive la compagnie.
Let every good fellow now lift up his glass,
Vive la compagnie.
We’ll drink to the health of this glorious class,
Vive la compagnie.
Brisbane State High School. Qld.
(Contributed by Robyn Kinne). The school song was written by Mr Jenks (nicknamed ‘Jumbo Jenks’), an art teacher who used to accompany the girls’ singing.
In 1931, the musical ‘The White Horse Inn’ played at His Majesty’s Theatre (later known as Her Majesty’s). The ‘Goodbye to the White Horse Inn’ song must have inspired Mr Jenks to write the words—the tune was already there.
We sing the high school
the good old High!
The School that’s your School and my School
the dear old Brisbane State High, high!
For the school that we love is the High School.
And we’ll remember
our old High School
as years roll on we’ll remember
and thoughts of pride shall ne’er grow cool
for the Brisbane State High School.
State High, State High,
with might and main we’ll try,
to write your name in a text of flame,
on the scroll of fame.
With pride and joy let every girl and boy
in chorus vie
with a gladsome cry
for the old State High.
Where in classroom working, no one shirking
all must do their share,
in toil for the school that they love;
or in games competing, bravely meeting
loss without despair,
in play for the school that they love.
So here’s to you,
old school so brave and true,
whose name and fame
are the boast and claim
of the Blue-Red-Blue.
State High, State High!
Long live the sturdy old State High! (repeat)
Brigidine College St Ives. NSW (Contributed by Rhianna Keen)
Our ways aren’t always clear…even when there’s light
The chance is there…to open doors
A chance we can Unite…
Our Lord has shown us children, His spirit is within
To love is to care…to be gentle yet strong
That’s why we sing our song
Chorus
Strong and gentle, the words by which we live
To love is to care, to be gentle yet strong
Fortiter et suaviter
To love is to care, to be gentle yet strong
Fortiter et suaviter’.
The Hills of Tumbarumba, NSW
From the hills of Tumbarumba, from the farms of old Junee,
From the tree-lined streets of Wagga, we climb the hill to thee.
In classroom and on sports field, we strive with all our will
To be worthy sons and daughters of the high school on the hill.
Here youth, with kindly patience, is shown the path to fame,
Is taught to take the knocks to come, is taught to play the game.
We learn to frown on licence, to cherish liberty,
To conquer all by conqu’ring self, to serve as served by thee.
To the hills of Tumbarumba, to the farms of old Junee,
To the tree-lined streets of Wagga, we go at last from thee.
though stormy hours may come and go, there’ll live in memory still
The happy, happy days we spent at the high school on the hill.
Parramatta High School, Sydney. NSW (I am indebted to Sandra Nixon, who runs the Loaded Dog Folk Club, Sydney, for sending me details of the songs associated with Parramatta High School. This is a fine example of how songs develop. ‘Panoply’ is an old word meaning impressive collection.)
Who are these advancing in youth’s gay canoply*
With the flag of courage flying, a joyous company?
Challenging the future, the ranks go swinging by
Along life’s road at morning time beneath a glowing sky.
Chorus Fax Mentis Incendium Gloriae
Blue is our badge, as the blue of the sky.
We are the school, the school on the hill
That stands by the great highway.
Words to the original Parramatta school song introduced in 1935 and sung until the mid-1950s.
We’re a band of happy high school children,
So hurrah for our colours two of blue.
To our school we will e’er be true.
And on land or on the sea, where e’er we be,
We’ll remember our high school days,
As we march along, we will sing this song
Of Parramatta High School praise.
P-A-R-R-A-M-A-T-T-A, Parramatta High School are we,
There are other schools in galore you’ll find,
But Parramatta High leaves the others all behind
PARRAMATTA, we’ll always answer to that call
PARRAMATTA, Parramatta beats them all.
When at last, our high school days are ended,
And in life we go out to make our name,
We’ll ne’er forget rules by teachers set,
We’ll always try to play the game.
So no matter where we are, be it near or far,
We’ll remember our high school days,
As we march along, we will sing this song,
Of Parramatta High School praise.
A new school song with a new tune was introduced in 1954.
Song of Parramatta High School – A Goodly Company.
Who are these advancing in youth’s gay panoply,
With the flag of courage flying, a joyous company?
Challenging the future, the ranks go swinging by
Along life’s road at morning-time beneath a glowing sky.
Chorus: Yo-ho, yo-ho, here we go,
Shoulder to shoulder and row by row;
We are the School, the School on the Hill,
That stands by the great Highway.
Often on the Sports Field we reap a victory;
Sometimes it is another tale and ’tis calamity!
When Fate deals this blow to us we take it on the chin:
The game we love beyond all else – draw, defeat or win.
Chorus ; Yo ho yo ho, we come and go;
Some are quick and some are slow;
BUT we’re the School, the School on the Hill,
That stands by the great Highway.
We journey not alone, we march with many more;
Again they tread the road with us, those who’ve gone before;
We are a goodly company, we’re stout of heart and strong;
We gaze on far horizons, we cheer the way with song.
Chorus ; Fax mentis incendie gloriae
Blue is our Badge as the blue of the sky –
A mind enlighten’d, an ardent soul
Emblazon the long Highway.
In the golden noon-time, and when the sun is low,
We’ll call to mind our school days of long, long ago;
From the mists of memory will rise old griefs and joys,
And down the years will ring again the songs of girls and boys.
Chorus
Yo-ho, yo-ho, onward we go,
Boys and girls of the School we know,
Parramatta High on the Hill
That stands by the great Highway.
Hornsby Girls High School Song. NSW. Robyn Death, NFSA. The contributor added ,“I love this school song – it’s so poetic, Anglo-centric, and non ‘rah-rah’ that it makes me laugh every time I think of it. It is circa 1970s or earlier. You might guess from this that our school motto was ‘Faith with fortitude.’
(Tune: ‘Vicar of Bray’)
Minerva, by our southern seas,
Her sacred groves replanted
With whispering gums to woo the breeze
That floats o’er lands enchanted.
With ageless hills she rimmed her bower,
Her sunlit shrine of learning,
And here we keep through shine and shower
The Torch of knowledge burning.
Chorus:
Then grasp the torch another hand
Has cast for our endeavor,
By faith with fortitude this brand
We’ll keep aflame forever.
The treasures time has handed down.
Were dearly bought by sages,
The poison cup, the martyr’s crown
Their guerdon through the ages.
Their faith with fortitude we’ll make
The mould of our endeavor,
And Hornsby, pride of place will take
Among the schools forever.
Mandurama Public School. NSW (Contributed by Geni Kane. Contributor added, ‘It was written many years ago – there are currently seven students.’)
(Tune ‘Click Go the Shears’)
In the Central West our small school stands
All its pupils working with hearts and with hands
Bright are our colours of white and of red
Smiles on our faces and challenges ahead
Mandurama aim high, aim high!
Throughout our lives if we try, try, try
In all that we do in work and in play
If we always do our best we’ll never lose our way
If we always do our best we’ll never lose our way
De La Salle College, Kingsgrove. NSW (From Nick Weare who added “the possible composer was musician, John Shortis’s, father.”
De La Salle men of Kingsgrove
Rally round young and old
De La Salle men we’re brothers all
‘Neath the banner of the blue and gold
Here’s to our alma mater
Greatest school within our ken
May joy and peace surround you
And God be with you
De La Salle men
Double Bay School, Sydney. NSW (From Jill Waddy)
By the shining waters of the bay,
Close to mighty Sydney town.
It’s a school that makes us do our best ,
It’s a place of great renown.
We will always love our dear old school ,
In our work and in our play.
We will always try to our best,
AT OUR SCHOOL AT DOUBLE BAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
Telopea Park School, ACT. FromPatricia Beaton, Weston ACT. Contributor added, “The school anthem from Telopea Park School goes to the tune of an arrangement of the duet from The Pearl Fishers –‘In The Depths of the Temple’. I’ve heard it mentioned on ABC FM radio a few times when they’ve played the original. The kids sing it in the two languages at every assembly. I’ve got the sheet music (in duet form) with French and English lyrics. Our 85-year-old school (Telopea) used to have a terrible anthem to the German tune of ‘O Christmas Tree’ (We’ll keep the red flag flying high..). It was ghastly and inappropriate when it became a French bi-national, bilingual school twenty-one years ago, so they asked me to write a new one, which I thought should have a French flavour, hence the Bizet. The ‘colours’ mentioned represent the different nationalities and all their different coloured skin. Gough Whitlam, a former Telopea Park pupil, would have sung the ghastly German tune”.
United by the music
Together we’ll recall
How beauty comes from within
And may be shared by all.
Refrain: Softly each petal slowly unfurling
Like a sunrise at break of day
Words and voices, faces blending
Colours like flowers in fine array
Colours blending, never ending,
Like a beautiful Telopea (repeat from Colours blending)
Runis par la musique
Beaute comme la fleur
Partage de la joie unique
Qui vient du fond des coeurs
Doucement chaque talpe suvre
Comme un beau lever de soleil
Mots, voix, visages
Couleurs se mlangent
Peuples aux fleurs en tous points pareils
Couleurs se m’lent, jamais ne finissent
Comme toi belle fleur Telopea (bis)
Enmore Boy’s High, Sydney. NSW Contributed by Dean Thomas who added, “The school is now a TAFE College. The tune was taken from a hymn, the name of which escapes me. But where the school song says ‘Honour to Enmore’, the hymn goes Hallelujah. When singing it in assembly, we changed the word school to jail.)
Enmore our school whose lamps forever burn,
Light, wisdom give us and strength to seek and learn.
Teach us the good to know the dross to spurn,
Honour to Enmore.
Honour to Enmore High.
West Pymble Public School Song, NSW Contributed by Liz Taggart-Speers. The school motto was Work, Work and Smile.
Work, work and smile
Make this the rule
For each and for all at West Pymble School
Take defeat with a smile
Try hard to succeed
Singing all the while
Cheer for our school assemble
Cheer for our classmates cheer
Cheer for happy hours together
Cheer! Cheer! Cheer!
Sacred Heart College, Ballarat East. Vic. Contributed by Marita Blood. The school motto was ‘Raise thine eyes aloft.’
SHC we love and bless you
Proud we are that we possess you
Alma mater school of learning
Alma mater school of yearning.
Killara High School, NSW. (Contributed by Jason Roweth who added, “This is a truly ordinary piece of poetry. There were verses, too, which I don’t recall (they didn’t attempt to make us sing it, just played a recording over the intercom). I’m sorry it’s not more interesting…”
Killara, Killara,
School we proudly claim
We will always remember
To bring honour to your name.
Tamworth High School, NSW. Contributed by Bob Buckley.
(Tune: ‘The Farmer’s Boy’)
A first year lad knocks at the door
His eye is clear and bright
With eager heart to play his part
With all his main and might
To do his best when hardly pressed
Resolving I must try
Chorus: To add fresh fame unto her name
And honour Tamworth High
And honour Tamworth High
We greet our rivals with a cheer, the fight be ever fair,
A lusty band we firmly stand, success our only care.
We will all be true to the black and blue,
So let the banner fly
The years roll by and all too soon
The school is left behind
And in the strife of worldly life
Our hopes may all prove blind
But the place we’ve earned and the code we’ve learned
Will not fail us if we try
Albury High School Song.NSW (contributed by Geoffrey Weule)
Its days may not be manifold
Its students may be few;
But we have often shown the rest
What Albury can do.
We’ve shown it in the summer days
The willow meets the ball;
We’ve shown it on the football field
At the best High School of all.
Chorus
So sing until the rafters ring,
And ring again the call;
For it’s your school and it’s my school
And the best High School of all.
We’ll show it in the classroom, too
When French comes round again;
And Mathematics makes us grind
And groan with mental pain.
We’ll stick the torturing periods out,
And very seldom fail,
When once again exams arrive,
At the best High School of all.
The day will come when we shall leave
Its doors to come no more;
But we shall often live again
The days we spent of yore.
The days that seemed so tedious then
But now can never pall.
The days of work, the days of play
At the best High School of all.
War Cries
To start we have a twenty-minute segment from the ABC ‘James Valentine’ show where I talked about the history of war cries and invited listeners to contribute.
Here is a war cry recorded in the 1940s at an Australian school. Anyone recognise the school?
A war cry is a chant used by Australian schools in conjunction with their sporting events. They are usually reserved for competitions outside of the school. Most cries are short, around eight lines.
The shortness allows the war cry to be repeated ad nauseum – usually whenever the school scores a point or wins an event. During the game the war cry is performed by the audience, rather than the players.
The shortness also provides easy learning. As to the origin of the phrase “war cry” I would suggest that it is something we took from the Maori tradition of New Zealand. When Australia was first settled the Maori people, unlike the Australian Aborigines, were aggressive opponents to the British settlements and would employ their traditional war cries in an attempt to scare the British away. These war cries must have made quite an impression on the British who took them back to England and across to Australia, and seemingly adopted them for their schools. Many Australian school war cries still incorporate Maori sounding words although they are not necessarily real words. Most war cries are not “taught” by schools and appear to be an oral tradition.
| Lewisham Christian Brothers High School. From the ’60 I remember the Christian Brothers Lewisham war cry, Yarangabie Yarangabie Yarangabie Yaronga Tarrawarra Tarrawarra Tarrawarra Tonga, Mullimbimby Mullimbimby Ya mun Doo Lewisham Lewisham Blue Gold Blue. Ya Ya ingo Ya, Ingo popigo Tullawarra wopigo Ya BOSCO! C, B, H, S, Lewisham!!! Source: Peter Cafe |
| ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE, NUDGEE, BRISBANE HokatikaHokatika – wish bam whap Ingo buddy buddy – give it to ’em hot Pour the boot Pour the boot Tackle ’em true Nudgee Nudgee – Blue white blue Source: David Gool |
| WESLEY COLLEGE, A METHODIST (NOW UNITING CHURCH) SCHOOL IN MELBOURNE I spent a couple of years at Wesley College, a Methodist (now Uniting Church) school in Melbourne – one of Melbourne’s private schools. Wesley Wesley zim-bah Wesley Wesley yah yah Wesley Wesley Wesley Wesley yah yah yah! But is was said so fast it came out: Wezza wezzazim-bah Wezza wezza yah yah Wezza wezzawezzawezza yah yah yah! We also had a simple little thing we would say aimed at rival school Melbourne Grammar: Who are We are Gram-ma Poof-tah! Charming stuff – but there you are. Source: Bruce Watson |
| PARRAMATTA HIGH SCHOOL In 1936, Mr Hedberg, the headmaster, introduced sports houses and war cries (some say 1938). So began a good deal of friendly interschool rivalry and competition which reached a peak at swimming and athletic carnivals. After a recent article in Faxmentis – the newsletter for ex-students – students from this era have written to tell us that the war cries of their day are very different to those below. Scroll down to see the 1930s war cry for Brisbane House and the Parramatta High School War Cry. Rikki-tikki, rikki-tikki Boom-bah, boom-bah Rikki-tikki, rikki-tikki Boom-bah-bah We are here to lead the rest Always prove that Batman’s best Batta-batta-bah, batta-batta-bah Batman, Batman, rah rah rah. B-A-T-M-A-N BATMAN!! Yarrawee, yarrawee, yah, yah, yah Fitzroy, Fitzroy here we are. Chillawarra, chillawarra, we can beat Anyone we chance to meet Bamwarra, bamwarra, yarrawee guy Fitzroy, Fitzroy, do or die. F-I-T-Z-R-O-Y FITZROY!! Boom a lacka, Boom a lacka, bow wow wow Chick a lacka, Chick a lacka, chow chow chow Boom a lacka Chick a lacka Who are we? Marsden Marsden, can’t you see? M-A-R-S-D-E-N MARSDEN!! Ego yah Ego yah Kirrawarra kirrawarra ego yah Ranga tanga rah Ranga tanga rah Brisbane Brisbane yah yah yah Who are – who are – who are we? Brisbane – Brisbane canÕt you see? B-R-I-S-B-A-N-E BRISBANE!! Source: Sandra Nixon |
| BRISBANE WAR CRY 1930S Bris, Bris, Bris, bane, bane, bane, On the top, up we hop, time and time again. Parramatta, Coolongatta, Wangaratta, Cabramatta, Hee Haw, Wee Waa, chase ’em out to Bungendore. House, house, house, Billabong, sing along, ho, ho, ho, Wirrawong, Birrawong, ho, ho, ho, High catches, low catches, canna we yah, The House, the house, here we are. Brisbane, Brisbane, yah, yah, yah. Source: Sandra Nixon |
| PARRAMATTA HIGH SCHOOL WAR CRY No doubt sung with great gusto at CHS events and CanParra visits. Boom jigga boom, boom jigga boom, Boom jigga jigga jigga boom boom boom. With a ha ha ha, here we are, Parramatta, Parramatta yah yah yah. Ego yah, ego yah, hi ti woppy guy, Yarra, yarra poppy guy, Whiskers in his gobba gobba. Ego yah, ego yah, Parramatta, Parramatta, yah yah yah. Source: Sandra Nixon |
| NORTH SHORE MARIST BROTHERS Igo Sego OpigoAngo ChoremChorem ante far Race ’em chase ’em We’re the boys to pace ’em Marist North Shore rarara North Shore ra Source: Stuart McCarthy |
| WAR CRY OF DE LA SALLE COLLEGE KINGSGROVE (NOW DEFUNCT?) Nick Weare King Gee, Col la Here we are We are the boys from La Salle – a Bexley Beverly Riverwood Nar We are the greatest near and far K-I-N-G-S we are Salle – a Source: Unknown |
| WAR CRY OF DE LA SALLE COLLEGE KINGSGROVE (NOW DEFUNCT?) Nick Weare King Gee, Col la Here we are We are the boys from La Salle – a Bexley Beverly Riverwood Nar We are the greatest near and far K-I-N-G-S we are Salle – a Source: Unknown |
| ENMORE BOYS HIGH WAR CRY 1 2 3 4 we’re the boys from En-more I hope it struck terror into the hearts of all who heard it but I suspect they thought, What a crook war cry Source: Dean Thomas |
| TECHNICAL COLLEGE I attended Sydney Technical High School in Paddington in 1954 and 1955. Each year there was a football match with Cranbrook High School. I managed not to attend these matches so i do not know if this ditty was sung in the presence of Cranbrook boys, but it certainly got an airing in the Tech High school yard. Tiddly Winks, old man, here’s a very simple plan ” Young man get a woman if you can, If you can’t get a woman get a Cranbrook man.” Source: Alan Walker |
| NARRABUNDA HIGH SCHOOL, NSW I don’t know who put this together, or even why it has these words, but we had to get something together quickly for our first interschool exchange with Northmead High in Sydney. I should imagine the Narrabundah College lot of the early 21st century would think themselves too sophisticated for this. Yah Yah, Ego Yah Ego Warrego Ego Yah. AngoPopigo Turramurra Wopigo OrkyOrky Blah Blah Blah. Hoopra Hoopra Yak Yak Yak Narrabundah Narrabundah Black Gold Black! Source: Bob Fagan |
| JOHN THE BAPTIST, HUNTER’S HILL I used to be able to recite BOTH the ‘war cry’ from St. John Baptist, Hunter’s Hill (circa 1945) and the one from Christian Brothers Lewisham, ‘pseudo-abo’ gibberish both with lines that went something like Yarrangobbie, Yarrangobbie, Yarrangobbie, Yonga ….. but all is now lost. The Joey’s one included a line Joey’s, Joey,s cerise and blue But not a line of the Lewisham one can I remember although it ended, as yours did, with the name of the loathed joint… C….B….H….S….L followed by a rousing cheer. The Kogarah one sounds like a litany of Greek ratepayers. Source: Leo Schofield |
| AINSLIE PRIMARY SCHOOL I’ve always loved the Ainslie Primary School (ACT) sports cry which I don’t think exists anymore but was told to me by my brother-in-law who attended in the 1950s: Ainslie, Ainslie brave and bold Ainslie, Ainslie dipped in gold Telopea, Telopea dipped in tar Telopea, Telopea, yah yah yah! Source: Elizabeth Jamieson – Senior Curator, Documents, National Film and Sound Archive (Telopea being the other public primary school in Canberra at the time). |
| MILTON CENTRAL SCHOOL C. 1964 “Ulladulla, Boolangatta, Narrawallee, Yatte Yattah Yatte Yattah, Yatte Yattah, Yah! Yah! Yah! We see the big breeze down among the pine trees M -I-L-T-O-N – Milton! Source: Judy Pinder |
| HOLY CROSS WOOLLAHRA The ‘ladies’ of Holy Cross College Woollahra NSW, sang the following at our inter school sports and swim meets. Well, we did from the years 1970 to 1975 anyway! “Where ever we go, People want to know Who we are So we tell them We are Woollahra, might mighty Woollahra” (Repeat twice, getting steadily louder each time.) Source: Megan |
| STRATHFIELD Rack Rack Rickety Rack SPC are on the track Blue Black Blue Black Gold Blue Black Blue Black Blue Black Gold Worry Me, Worry Me Strathfield, Strathfield, SPC S P C Source: Billy |
| SYDNEY BOYS HIGH The “Eh-up” is a long “aaaaaay”, short “oop” sound. Who knows what it may mean. It was just as common to make loud and rude raspberry noises during the polite war-cries of the private schools… Koomiti, Koomiti, Kara, Kara Koomiti, Koomiti, Kara, Kara Eh-up, Eh-up Up, Up, Koomiti – High! Source: Chris Maltby |
| SYDNEY HIGH SCHOOL I think it was this one but I can’t vouch for the spelling as I never saw it written down (or I can’t remember). Notice the Koomati seems to be from the Haka. There’s something not quiet right about it I think there may be lines missing… Koomati Koomati Kara Kara Koomati Koomati Kara Kara HiggertyPiggerty Hoop-a-roo HiggertyPiggertyMuffertyWiggerty Koomati Koomati HIGH Source: Russ Hannah |
| ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL The school has subsequently turned co-ed, so I assume there has been some modification to ensure that the warcry is gender neutral. The war cry (phonetically because I don’t ever recall seeing it written down) was: Kar-medi Kar-medi Kara Kara Tin-ee-eye Tin-ee-eye Tin-gan-gara Hop-ee-go Hop-ee-go Two to one Whop-ee-go WhoskaWhoska Ya Ya Boska Ork-eye Ork-eye Bah Bah Bah Grammar boys, grammar boys, Yes we are. Source: Ian Dearden |
| SCHOOL MYTHS AT ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR At Rockhampton Grammar, it was an article of faith that “the bone of TJ Ryan were buried beneath the goalposts on the school oval” and that the ghost of TJ Ryan walked the school and/or the belltower. At the time that I was there I didn’t even know who TJ Ryan was (he was, I later discovered, a famous Labor Party Premier of Qld), and I don’t know if there was a school or Rockhampton connection to him, but for some reason his name (and ghost) was appropriated to the school legend. Many years later I became involved professionally with the issue of abuse in residences (orphanages, etc) and it struck me that many of the allegations were in fact “legendary/mythical” in the sense that they could not physically have occurred, for various reasons, but they communicated or encapsulated the pain of those who were telling the story. To illustrate the point, in one case a claimant alleged that the persons running the institution would take the young residents and “hold us under water in the baths until we nearly drowned”. The difficulty was that the institution never had any baths, so it was either a complete fabrication, or else a mythical recollection and transformation of bad things that had happened. I was a criminal lawyer for 20 years, and the way in which memories can be honestly held, but become completely skewed, is of enormous interest. Source: Ian Dearden |
| STUARTHOLME SCHOOL, BRISBANE WAR CRY All through the city all through the city there’s been a lot of talk, about the Stuartholme girls and the wa-ay they walk. wooo woooo they walk through the city, lookin mighty pretty. talkin bout the mighty, mighty re-ed and gold! i said: HEY, ON GAOU, hey hey the power hey hey the beats gonna step on your feet..wooooooooooo step on your feet …wooooooo clap your hands (two claps) stop your feet (two feet stomps) get on down to the Stuarthome beat.(body/hand percussion on legs) Source: Natasha Dearden |
| RAMSGATE Ramsgate, Ransgate, don’t be slow, Be like Elvis and go man go Source: Warren Fahey |
| KOGARAH One , two, three, four, Who do you think we’re barracking for? Five, six, seven, eight, Who do you think we appreciate? KOGARAH! (Kogarah, Kogarah, yar yar yar ortta be ortta be dipped in tar Ramsgate, Ramsgate, brave and bold ortta be, ortta be dipped in gold Catholics, Catholics, Ring the bell While the Proddies go to hell Publics, publics, Ring the bell While the Catholics go to hell. Catholics stink! Source: Warren Fahey |
Wagga Wagga High School, NSW
One, two, three, four,
Who do you think we’re barracking for?
Five, six, seven, eight,
Who do we appreciate?
(shout) House Name
Rah rah ree,
Kick ’em in the knee
Rah Rah rass
Kick ’em in the other knee
What do we eat?
What do we eat?
Wolf meat! Wolf meat!
How do we like it?
How do we like it?
RAW! RAW! RAW!
Pork chops, pork chops
Greasy, greasy
We can beat (other team)
Easy, easy!
Don’t mess with the best coz the best don’t mess
Don’t fool with the cool coz the cool don’t fool
Go yellow o o o go yellow
Sittin’ on a bandstand, bangin’ on a tin can,
Who can? We can.
Nobody else can win (clap-clap-clap)
Win (clap-clap-clap)
Come on (team name), let’s win (clap-clap-clap)!”
Oxley, Oxley,
In the bin,
Macquarie Macquarie further in,
Cook Cook on the top,
Here comes Sturt to squash the lot.
Walla Walla Walla Bang Bang Bang,
We are the kids from the (HOUSE NAME) gang,
Who we meet we must defeat,
Brick wall,
Waterfall,
Other team thinks they’ve got it all,
But they don’t,
And we do,
So ‘boom’! with that attitude!
Pinch, punch,
Captain Crunch,
We’ve got something you can’t touch,
Bang, Bang, Choo-choo Train
Wind us up to do our thang,
Nieces Pieces, Seven Up,
Mess with us, we’ll mess you up!
GOOOOOO [team name!]
Here are the other teams sitten’ on a cactus,
We think the other teams need more practice ,
They’re rough, they’re tough, they’re hard to beat,
So c’mon Red lets move our feet.
Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola, Royal Crown.
We’re gonna hypnotise them,
Paralyse them,
Knock em down!
We’re gonna F.I.G.H.T!
We’re gonna S.C.O.R.E!
We’re gonna fight,
We’re gonna score,
We’re gonna win this war!
Gooooo PATTERSON!!!!!
Old King Cole,
Was a merry old sole,
And a merry old sole was he
But all he could get,
On his TV set was PATTERSON’S victory!
Gooooo PATTERSON!!!!!
Edgecumbe girls will dominate,
these Wilson girls will meet their fate,
Edgecumbe girls will race you all,
Heads girls it is your downfall,
Edgecumbe girls will be the loudest,
McDiarmid girls will try their hardest
Edgecumbe girls will win the race,
Campbell girls can’t keep the pace
Edgecumbe girls rule the school,
You other houses look like FOOLS.
We don’t play with Barbie dolls,
We only play with caps and goggles,
We don’t wear no mini skirts,
We only wear our speedos.
We don’t drink no lemonade,
We only drink our Powerade.
GO (House name)
OR…
Green, Green the weak machine
Yellow, yellow slow and shallow,
Red, Red go to bed
Blues the best out of all the rest
Our team is (team name) and you know what we got!
What do we got?
We got a team that’s hotter than hot!
Hot hot is hot?
Batman and Superman,
Uh huh uh huh,
Can’t do what our team can!
Our team is what?
Dynamite!
Our team is what?
Dynamite!
(everyone) OUR TEAM IS – TICK,TICK,TICK,TICK,TICK,TICK
BOOM DYNAMITE!
(leader) Claire: Hey my name is Claire and you know what I got?
(rest): what do you got?
Claire: iv got a team that’s hotter then hot!!
(rest): how hot is hot??
Claire: hotter then super man
(rest): ahuh ahuh
Claire: can’t do what my team can
(rest): alright alright
You might be good at basketball you might be good at track.
But when it comes to winning you might as well step back!
Queensland oranges, Northern cactus
We beat the others just for practice
Roll out the carpets
Roll out the mats,
Come on Kookas (House Name),
Knock ‘em flat!
We’re number one, not two, not three, not four
We’re gonna win, not lose, not tie the score
We’re at the top, not bottom, not in between
Come on (team name) lets hear you scream
Red, Red tomato head,
Blue, blue super glue,
Yellow, yellow eat marshmellow,
Green, green the power bean,
Lets gooooo GREEN.
S-U-C-C-E-S-S
That’s the way we spell success
Banksia Banksia we’re the best,
We’re gonna prove it, prove it, prove it,
GOOOOO Banksia
We’re not pink and we’re not brown.
We’re the team that wins the crown.
We play hard and we play fair.
We wear yellow underwear.
We are strong and we are bold.
We’re the team in Australian gold.
Santa is a jolly fellow.
He supports the mighty yellow.
M O R P H E double T
Go Morphett!
Splish, splash, we were takin a swim,
This is a meet we’re sure to win,
Butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, free,
We can do ’em all, just wait and see,
When were in the water get out of our way,
‘Cuz the (highschool)’s are here to stay
We’vw got the muscles
We’v got the brains
We’v got the legs to win this race!
GOOOOOOOOO mena!(yellow)
Turn on the radio what do u hear?
Mena! Mena!
Give ‘em a cheer.
We are are gonna bash ‘em
Bust ‘em that’s our fashion
Goooooo Mena!
Give me a B
Give me a A
Give me a T
Give me a M
Give me a A
Give me a N
Who ere we?
Batman!
Champagne, champagne,
Pop! pop! pop!
We’re gonna go to the top, top, top.
If we lose we don’t care,
Just remember we play fair.
George Dragons we all rule (echo)
George Dragons we r cool (echo)
On the field and on the track (echo)
George Dragons are the leaders of the pack (echo)
Give me a G-E-O-R-G-E
Goooooo George!
Walla Walla Walla Bang Bang Bang
Go go Morna
Brick wall,
Waterfall
You teams think you got it all
Yous’ don’t, we do!
So boom! with attitude
Peace punch
Captain Crunch,
We are going to win,
Go, Morna, go.
Sliding down a waterfall,
Landing on a cactus,
We all know the other teams need more practice,
We’re rough,
We’re tough,
We’re hard to beat,
Come on Marrawuddi, lift these feet.
this is a chant from my school st ives north
Birdy, birdy, flying high,
Drops a message from the sky,
What did the message say?
Wambongs gonna win today!!!
Roll out the carpet, roll out the mat
[Colour] house is going to knock you flat,
Shout to the east, shout to the west
Colour] house [Colour] house is the best
[Spell team name] Go [Team Name]
To the m to the o to the o r h o u s e
To the m to the o to the o r h o u s e
To the m to the o to the o r h o u s e
Goooo MOORHOUSE
Waltzing Matilda
We’re gonna kill ya,
‘cause We are Red and Red is the best
We’re gonna run, gonna score,
Like you’ve never ever seen before,
“cause we are Red and Red is the best.
Extra Extra, read all about it.
Sherwood are the best, no doubt about it
Shout it to the east
Shout it to the west
Come on Sherwood
You’re the best
Goooo Sherwood
Extra, extra, read all about it
Rosella’s gonna win
And there’s no doubt about it.
sliding down a waterfall, landing on a cactus
We can do anything without any practice,
We’re rough, we’re tough, we’re hard to beat,
So c’mon Rosella let’s move our feet.
Junibara State School, Narangba, Queensland.
Interhouse War Cries
RAINBOW
Shout! Shout! Let it all out.
We’ve got something to scream about.
We’re the house with Power and Might.
So Come on Rainbow
Fight! Fight! Fight!
R-A-I-N-B-O-W
Goooooo Rainbow!
Everywhere we go
People want to know
Who we are
Where do we come from
So we tell them
We’re from Rainbow
Mighty mighty Rainbow
R-A-I-N-B-O-W
Gooooo Rainbow!
Rainbow colours are bright and green
No-one better will be seen
We will win o’er all the rest
Rainbow Rainbow are the best
R-A-I-N-B-O-W
Yeah Rainbow!
GOULDIAN
Gouldian, Gouldian we are the best
What’s the story about the rest
There’s no stopping us nor blocking us
We’re on top, there’s no rock’n us
G-O-U-L-D-I-A-N
Yeah Gouldian!
Gouldian Gouldian is our name
Striving winning is our game
Other teams jut can’t compete
They all know we can’t be beat!
G-O-U-L-D-I-A-N
Yeah Gouldian!
Sliding down a waterfall,
Landing on a cactus,
we think the other teams need more practice,
we’re rough, we’re tough,
we’re hard to beat,
come on Gouldian,
move these feet!
G-O-U-L-D-I-A-N
Gooooo Gouldian!
FIRETAIL
Firetail Firetail is our name
Running down the track is our game
Burning high, burning low
Come on firetail go go go!
F-I-R-E-T-A-I-L
Yeah Firetail!
Firetail that’s our name
Wining, wining is our game.
We are the best.
The best by far.
So come on Firetail
Rarr, Rarr, Rarr
F-I-R-E-T-A-I-L
Gooooo Firetail!
Firetail Firetail show the rest
Show the others we’re the best
We’re so fast as we pass
So come on Firetail go go go
F-I-R-E-T-A-I-L
Yeah Firetail!
DIAMOND
Swing to the left
Swing to the right
We all train on Vegemite
Give us strength
Give us might
Come diamonds
Fight Fight Fight
D-I-A-M-O-N-D
Yeah Diamond!
Diamond, Diamond brave and bold
Today we’re here to win some gold
Watch the others shiver and shake
As diamond swoops down for the take
Diamond, Diamond shout it out loud
Make you team mates mighty proud
D-I-A-M-O-N-D
Yeah Diamond!
We are Diamonds, bold and bright
Always winners, day and night
All the others lag behind
Better athletes you won’t find
D-I-A-M-O-N-D
Yeah D
Melbourne Boys High School. Vic.1
“Honour the work, let our motto remind us,
When courage weakens and stern grows the fight
Strong like it’s pillars our school stands behind us,
Standing for duty and standing for right.”
We are the kids from the blue triangle
Every team we meet we strangle
Rah Rah stick ‘em in a jar
We’re the best by far far far…
Hit it to the left,
Hit it to the right,
We all train on Vegemite.
Give us strength,
Give us might,
C’mon, school
Fight! fight! fight!
Riki tiki riki tiki
Boom bah boom bah
Riki tiki riki tiki
Boom bah bah
C’mon ‘Jones’ here we are
Ahhhh…..
J-O-N-E-S (The E is a low random, manly “E”)
Zoom-a-tacker Zoom-a-tacker Ra Ra Ra!
Boom-a-tacker Boom-a-tacker Ra Ra Ra!
Who are we? We are the best
We put all the teams to the test
D-O-U-G-L-A-S Douglas.
Everywhere we go,
People wanna know,
Who we are,
And where do we come from
So we tell them
We’re the mighty Douglas,
And if you can’t hear us
We’ll sing a little louder
(repeat a few times)
(Last time shout) WELL, YOU MUST BE DEAF
We also had two unofficial chants.
The Beda boys are on the piss again, again,
The Beda boys are on the piss again, again,
We drink, we smoke, we fuck, we toke,
We even tell a bloody good joke.
The Beda boys are on the piss again, again
…and the one for the private grammar school across the road. This brings back nostalgic memories of muck-up day.
Beda Grammar School, Vic.
Grammar fags,
Take it up the ass, doo dah, doo dah
But Grammar girls take it twice as fast
From the Beda boys
Bowan School2
(1961)
Cook
Heya, Heya, Hey Billy Wanga.
Heya, Heya, Hi.
Oompera, Oompera, Oompeliago
Green and gold we cry.
Rick, rick, rickety rick,
Osti, Osti, I
Peri weri winkle
Ting tong tiger,
Cook, Cook, we cry.
Flinders
Boomalah, Boomalaka, zing, bang, bar
Flinders Flinders yes we are
Razzle dazzle, razzle dazzle black and white we are
Flinders, Flinders, CHA! CHA! CHA!
Sturt
Who’re, Who’re, Who’re we
We are Sturt House can’t you see.
Cook and Flinders are our rivals,
But to us they are mere trifles,
Blue red, Blue red, Blue Red, Blue,
We are better than any of you.
(1964)
Cook
Haka Kari, Haka Kari, Haka Kari Ka,
Kubla Kangla, Kubla Kangla, Oubla Gouri Ya,
Haka Kari, Kubla Kangla, Oubla Gouri Ya,
Cook is the house that’s best by far.
Cook – Red – Cook – Red Hoo La Wah.
R E D S Reds.
Flinders
Are you ready?
Are we ever!
Conquer, conquer, we will win
Ringa, Ringa Koo Yah Min.
Rick Rack, Rick Rack, good we are
Nar Har Mar Tisimar
Flinders, Flinders, Yah! Yah! Yah!
Kennedy
Kennedy! Kennedy!
Boon-a-Laka-Yah!
Who are the Best,
By Far, By Far!
Cooee-Wah-Yah-Yah!
Kennedy, Kennedy,
White and Blue!
K-E-N-N-E-D-Y!!!
Sturt
Girawena! Girawena! Didgeridoo!
Taranaki! Taranaki! Oompal Too!
What say you! Hokitika! Hokitika!
Wish! Bang! Wop!
Come on Sturt! Give it to ’em hot!
Stompie! Wolmpie!
Stompie! Wolmpie!
Real Gone Team!
Sturt! Sturt! Sturt!
Green! Green! Green!
James Ruse School
Toft House
We’re black, we’re black
We dominate the track
We’re tough, we’re buff
We’ll make you eat the rough
Full of passion, full of steam
We’ve got to be the winning team
Strength and power gets us there
We’ll bring you down while playing fair
Coz Rassack’s full of rust
Mullavey eats the dust
Jones can’t do a thing
But TOFT is just the king!
T-O-F-T TOFT!
Jones House
Jones, Jones, brave and bold
Ought to be, ought to be
Dipped in gold
All the rest,
Ha ha ha
Ought to be, ought to be
Dipped in tar
J-O-N-E-S JONESSSS
Roll out the carpet
Roll out the mat
Come on Jones
Knock ’em flat
j o n e s JONES!
Brisbane Boy’s High
Sturt House
What are your legs?
Springs! – Steel springs!
What are they going to do?
Hurl me down the track.
How fast can you run?
As fast as a leopard.
How fast are you going to run?
As fast as a leopard.
Let’s see you do it!
Brisbane House War Cry 1930s
Bris, Bris, Bris, bane, bane, bane,
On the top, up we hop, time and time again.
Parramatta, Coolongatta, Wangaratta, Cabramatta,
Hee Haw, Wee Waa, chase ’em out to Bungendore.
House, house, house, Billabong, sing along, ho, ho, ho,
Wirrawong, Birrawong, ho, ho, ho,
High catches, low catches, canna we yah,
The House, the house, here we are.
Brisbane, Brisbane, yah, yah, yah.
Parramatta High School War Cry
Boom jigga boom, boom jigga boom,
Boom jigga jigga jigga boom boom boom.
With a ha ha ha, here we are,
Parramatta, Parramatta yah yah yah.
Ego yah, ego yah, hi ti woppy guy,
Yarra, yarra poppy guy,
Whiskers in his gobba gobba.
Ego yah, ego yah,
Parramatta, Parramatta, yah yah yah.
Charleville School of Distance, Queensland3
Who are, Who are, Who are we?
We are the kids from SDE,
Boomaranga, Boomaranga, Terri Erri Arr,
We’ve come from places near and far.
We’re here to put you to the test
And be sure we’ll try to do our best,
So let us, Let us, Let us hear,
As Charleville SDE we cheer.
arungi House War Cry4
Narungi
Who are, who are, who are
We are, we are Na-rungi.
Walla, walla, walla,
Bang, bang bang.
WE are the kids of Narungi Gang.
N-A-R-U-N-G-INARUNGI
Kanyanna
Kanyanna, Kanyanna, ya, ya, ya,
Kanyanna, Kanyanna, best by far.
K-A-N-Y-A-N-N-A
KANYANNA!!!!!!!!!
Bundeena
BANKSIA
BANKSIA! BANKSIA! Brave and bold.
Ought to be! Ought to be!
Dipped in GOLD!
B – A – N – K – S – I – A!
BANKSIA!
Jacaranda
JACARANDA!
Super Jacaranda!
JACARANDA!
The greatest team of all!
J – A – C – A – R – A – N – D – A
JACARANDA!
Kurrajong
Who are, who are, who are we?
KURRAJONG! KURRAJONG can’t you see!
K – U – R – R – A – J – O – N – G
Come on KURRAJONG!
Waratah
EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it.
Waratah is the best and there’s no doubt about it!
W – A – R – A – T – A – H
WARATAH
Sumerset College, Gold Coast, Queensland, Vievers House
Wolla Wolla Wolla! Bang Bang Bang!
We are the kids from the Veivers gang
Who we meet, we defeat
Run like lightning, jump like flames
We’ll show the others how to play the game
Win or lose, we don’t care
Well show the others how to play it fair
V – E – I – V – E – R – S
Yeah – Vievers!
1. (Contributed by Bruce Watt, who added, “I don’t think we had a better war cry other than “Get the f*ckers!”
2. Valda Low, editor of the online magazine Simply Australia, located the following house war cries. They are a good example of how the school house cry develops.)
3. (Melinda Fletcher, School Captain, 1991. “At Charleville School of Distance Education, school spirit is strong, and this is demonstrated most clearly when our students travel vast distances for events. At inter-school and whole school events, our students proudly sing their school and sporting house war cries to encourage their teammates.”)
4. Narungi (meaning “to remember”) – Green. Kanyanna (meaning ‘to gather) – Red