Barcaldine way, where ghost gums way, A ghost gum stands where shearer bands Met to fight – a shearers’ strike
Against the powers-that-be,
Rebelled against bureaucracy
Underneath the Knowledge Tree.
The law had ruled their wages cruelled. They wouldn’t stand for law of land Passing a bill against their will,
A cut unjust of hard-earned cash.
Aussies true-blue, the shearers knew Wrong from right, and though the might Of law prevails, it finally fails
If it’s unjust. Justice must.
The shearers swore to fight the law, And gathered round with thoughts profound Under the Tree of Knowledge, free
Men and bold, and history told
How they formed, under the tree, the A.L.P., To change the law forevermore,
So Australians all might be
Free to carve their destiny,
Earn fair wage or salary.
Still the Tree of Knowledge stands,
Monument to all the lands
Of justice in Australia fair,