[Intro]
[Verse 1]
The sun beats down on the dusty track
Another year gone, ain't no turnin' back
The billy boils, the flies they swarm
Out here the weather takes its form
From scorchin' heat to drivin' rain
We bear it all, through joy and pain!
[Chorus]
OY! OY! OY! THE NEW YEAR'S NEAR! (Hiccup!)
RING IT IN WITH BLOODY CHEER! (WOOOAH!)
SHOUT IT TO THE SOUTHERN SKY!
BEFORE THE OLD ONE SAYS GOODBYE! (HAHAHA!)
[Verse 2]
The pub's a-roar, the amber flows (Glug glug glug!)
Where every bloke and sheila goes
To raise a glass, to spin a yarn
Beneath the stars on someone's farm
Or city street, the harbour bright
We chase the dark, we seek the light!
[Chorus]
OY! OY! OY! THE NEW YEAR'S NEAR! (Hiccup!)
RING IT IN WITH BLOODY CHEER! (WOOOAH!)
SHOUT IT TO THE SOUTHERN SKY!
BEFORE THE OLD ONE SAYS GOODBYE! (HAHAHA!)
[Bridge]
Is it hope? Is it dread? (Ominous drone)
What lies in the year ahead? (Rising pitch)
Floods or fire, drought or feast? (Tremolo)
Will the worry ever cease? (Plaintive cry)
But tonight! TONIGHT! WE STAND TALL! (Sudden fortissimo)
WE ANSWER ONLY FATE'S CALL! (Defiant bellow)
[Chaotic Chanting Section]
COUNT IT DOWN! TEN! NINE! (Deep, rhythmic chant)
EIGHT! SEVEN! SIX! (Growing intensity)
FIVE! FOUR! THREE! TWO! (Faster, louder)
ONE! BLOODY WELL DONE! (Chaotic shouting, overlapping voices, operatic trills mixed with drunken whoops)
G'DAY, NEW DAWN! HAVE A GO, YA BEAUTY! (Sustained, powerful note dissolving into laughter and coughs)
[Outro]