The Red Tide

Moving on from Las Vegas, I'm now concerned about the fate of the free world, especially the threat posed by the Rudd-Gillard Socialist Redocracy (I mean, surely she CHOOSES to dye her hair that colour). So it's timely that I post the lyrics of Shadow Valley and Iron Triangles, performed by The Young Australians and released on Festival Records in 1966 (FK-1828).

I first heard this track in 1986 on

Bob Hudson & Glenn A. Baker present antipodean atrocities: dubious ditties, patriotic pap and enthusiastic excesses that made Australia [great] grate.(ABC Records: C4 595 1/2).

It's spoken-word, over a slow and increasingly rousing version of Waltzing Matilda.

Andrew Jones, the youngest ever member of the Australian Parliament, wrote the words. Rex Heading, an Adelaide disc jockey, recorded the narration.

As for the title: I can only guess what it means; the words aren't used in the song. "Iron Triangles" (it seems the plural is correct) might refer the 'Iron Triangle' of iron-ore towns in South Australia: Port Augusta, Port Pirie and Whyalla. And/or the 'Iron Triangle' in Vietnam, a Viet Cong stronghold captured in 1967 by American soldiers. Or maybe a battle in the Korean War. I have no idea why "Shadow Valley".

The words are very moving (in different parts of the body depending on your politics) but you must hear Rex's intonation to complete the experience. I'll post a recording tomorrow.

People today have money and good times. Things seem to be going pretty well. But is our greatest asset apathy? Is our religion complacency and our motto, “let someone else do it? There’s always the fool, the someone to do the work, the sucker to do the sweating… and the dying. So what if the war goes on another five years? There’s always America, good old ‘Uncle Sam’.”

But how long will Australia be free when the red cancer of communism has eaten through Asia. Will we still sing with our hearts ? Will we look at our flag with pride? Just try it. You may be beaten, tortured, even shot. Made to sing ‘the east is red’. And you know, there’s only one colour on the red flag. Their aims are simple: to destroy our heritage for theirs, to cast out hope for fear and crush the spirit, manhood and youthful pride of our nation.

Wake up Australia! Can’t you see the warning lights, the danger signal? Why sleep in the past? Get out of your bed of apathy. Don’t you realise what we’re fighting for? Have you lost your love of freedom?

Our forefathers opposed different enemies, yet the same: oppression and terror. Are we blind to them today, can we not see?

What true Australian would prevent freedom of speech, the shame to see our country’s leaders pushed and shoved and spat upon? Must we resort to terror tactics to prevent free speech? Can’t we see that they’re turning us the one against the other? Have we lost our national pride, our love of country? Do we look the other way?

You say, “what can we do? Australia’s weak, insignificant, dead from the neck up, we couldn’t give a damn, the only old Aussie spirit is dead.”

Well fella, now is the time to wake up, show them what we’re made of, show them the spirit of Gallipoli, Tobruk and Korea. We must defend Australia against al those who would take away our liberties and rights and freedom. We shall stay free. Young Australia, let your voice be heard, speak up, express your views but remember your heritage and honour your country. We are the blue skies of prosperity, the new light in Asia. We are the nation of great promise.

Let your heart beat loudly, let your pulse quicken, let your ride well-up as you look upon your flag, never forget what it stands for.

Lift up your head, remember our past, see our glorious future and let your voice sing out and, friend, thank God you’re free.