THE BATTLE OF WELLINGTON
Lyrics Stefan Clist/ Tune Trad
Main Vocal, Sam
By early 1943, the war in the Pacific saw American servicemen spread far and wide through allied held territory. At any given time there were up to forty thousand either stationed in, or transiting through, New Zealand.
This large contingent of overseas troops led, inevitably, to some cultural differences becoming a problem and the issue came to a head on the night of Saturday the 3rd of April.
A group of Americans, many from the southern states, were enjoying the hospitality of the Allied Servicemen's Club on Manners Street in Wellington but were not happy about some of the other patrons.
Within a short time, central Wellington was experiencing its worst ever riot. The Military Police were obliged to call on the local force to restore order and getting the whole huge street brawl back under control took several hours.
Due to wartime reporting restrictions, no newspapers were allowed to mention the disturbance in any way and the only records that exist of the event are those made at the time by the civil and military police. These are, not surprisingly, quite extensive.
Stefan saw this little known event as classic folk song material and wrote the lyrics, setting them to the traditional tune of 'Erin go Bragh'.
lyrics
In nineteen hundred and forty three,
the Americans they came from the land of the free.
The grandsons of soldiers who'd fought to keep slaves,
sailed to New Zealand from over the waves.
One night in April we went out on the town.
We had George and Shane Harris,The Twins and Mike Brown.
Mike owed some money down in our local pub,
so we went to the Allied Serviceman's Club.
Well Harry he rolled up and he bought our first round.
When out from the Yanks came this rumbling sound.
Some old boy from Georgia stood tall to his feet,
He said 'We don't drink with darkies, get back out on the street.'
Mike's face was thunder as black as the night.
Harry was smiling, always up for a fight.
'If we were back in your swamps then we might let that pass,
but you're in Wellington now,
SIT BACK DOWN ON YOUR ARSE!'
The Yanks strode towards us like they had no fear.
Harry was smiling as he put down his beer.
The Twins grabbed some pool cues from next to the bar,
to show how Ngā Puhi used their old taiaha.
Some Kiwi lads came to shore up our line.
Harry was taking them three at a time.
And we whistled old Dixie back into the street,
to the tune of the whistles of the Military police.
More Kiwi lads came to help us along.
Our fight was soon over one thousand men strong.
There were chippies and sparkies
with their fists flying free.
Set the Yanks on the train to Paekakariki.
Looking around us, our way being clear.
Back to the club then to finish our beer.
Surrounded by yanks but still unscathed himself,
we heard Harry roar,
'IS THERE ANYONE ELSE?'
credits
from Laugh While You May,
released June 19, 2021
Sammy Leary - Vocals, Guitar
Alan Knight - Bouzouki
Helen Cobbett - Bodrahn
Ben Cobbett - Fiddle
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