John Howard&#146s Lament

November 17, 1993
Issue 
600

John Howard's Lament

Won't you come back MS Tampa,
won't you come back to our shore.
Bring us the old and the hungry,
your crippled and troubled what's more.

Won't you come back MS Tampa,
won't you come back to our shore.
Bring us the old and the hungry,
your crippled and troubled what's more.

John Howard's Lament

Won't you come back MS Tampa,
won't you come back to our shore.
Bring us the old and the hungry,
your crippled and troubled what's more.

Please scan the high seas for more refugees
and bring us the sick and the restless.
Please search the world wide for the desperate
for those who are starving or homeless.

Labor is making such headway
and it's time to settle the score.
I can't afford too much leeway,
so bring us your hungry and poor.

There are so many racist electors
whom I'd really love to appease.
So turn your ship round and don't run aground,
please take heed I need more refugees.

We promise this time to be gentle,
we'll offer them all TPVs
that will last until the election
after that they'll be failed refugees

John Tomlinson

From Green Left Weekly, September 29, 2004.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.