Ruler Of The Land

Paul Keating:
I thought this moment would be nervous
But tonight I'm full of joy
I bless my twenty years of service
As a Blaxland Bankstown boy
A chance to make the nation richer
An opportunity to see
Well, well, to see
A wider screen, a bigger picture
And you gave that chance to me -
I take it with glee!

'Cos I am the ruler of the land
They tell me I'm the man

Band:
Who da man?

Keating:
Who da man?

Band:
You da man!

Keating:
Yes I am.
But, but, but...

I am the ruler of a nation torn
By redneck scorn of the native born
Can we finally have a treaty please?
Apologies to Aborigines?

Nowadays I'm quite persuaded
A nation takes it's share of blame
The white man certainly invaded
The past will always stay the same
Show me something of our future
Smarter, wise, less afraid
Put the mozz on every moocher
Let the nation be remade - I must be obeyed!

'Cos I am the ruler of the land
They tell me I'm the man

Band:
Who da man?

Keating:
Who da man?

Band:
You da man!

Keating:
Yes I am.
But, but, but...

I am the servant of a distant queen
Who can overween and intervene
Can we finally make her obsolete?
Stand complete on our own two feet?

And wouldn't it be nice to get on with your neighbour?
And make it very clear, Australia part of Asia?
And wouldn't it be good just hangin' in the hood,
To lend a cup of sugar like a neighbour should?
And wouldn't it be sweet talking over the fence,
Recalcitrance becoming common sense?

Let me now address the chamber
Everyone from red to blue
(I'm talkin' to you! )
Yes, I'm at the end of the rainbow
And now I hold a pot of gold for you
Here's the gist of my agenda:
Let's advance Australia fair

Band:
Advance Australia fair!

Keating:
Oh yeah!
No retreat and no surrender
'Til we get our nation there - I solemnly swear!

'Cos I am the ruler of the land
They tell me I'm the man

Band:
Who da man?

Keating:
Who da man?

Band:
You da man!

Keating:
Yes I am.

Band:
Top banana republic man!
Top banana republic man!

Keating:
Yes, I am.

Band:
Top banana republic man!

Keating:
I am the ruler of the land

Band:
Top banana republic man!

Keating:
Yes! Yes I am!

Band:
Top banana republic man!

Keating:
I am the ruler of the land

Band:
Top banana republic man!

Keating:
And they tell me I'm the man

Band:
Who da man?

Keating:
Who da man?

Band:
You da man!

Keating:
I am!