ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Did somebody just say something? It sounded very muffled, and I couldn't quite catch it.

Now listen here Stephen if you remove your head from under the pillow I am sure it will not be so muffled see now isn't better now old cobber so okay will hear from you later MATE

bill your old mate

Why can't we just be friends?

Just Call Me Mate
(c) 2007 Manfred Vijars

Here in this country a bloke is a bloke
and a girl is a Sheila, fair dinkum, no joke
and there's one more thing - and I'm telling you straight
I'm an Australian, so just call me "Mate"

All over the world there are names for one's own
terms that are normal and not overblown
Not sure what they call friends up there in Kuwait
but here in Australia – just call me "Mate"

Overseas you may be an 'amigo' senior
a 'comrade', 'ami' - there's these terms and more
But since you're out here, I'll reiterate
I'm an Australian, so just call me "Mate"

In England they have their formality and grace
so lordship and duchess and sir have their place.
to make me a Pommy - I'm no candidate
I'm an Australian, so just call me "Mate"

I don't mind the Yanks and their cowboy lifestyle
share a campfire and sit for a while
But calling me "Buddy" will get me irate
'Cause I'm an Australian, so just call me "Mate"

Those imported cultures, I won't tolerate
if they push their agendas to invalidate
my pride for my culture, is not up for debate
I'm an Australian, so you call me, "MATE"!!
---

To me Buddy has a condescending tone to it - it might be something you said to a child "my little buddy".

What about "Pal"? That sounds condescending too I reckon.

Are you still there Stephen?

...
'Pal' sounds like dogfood mate.

...c

There's those that would have us believe there's just one
Way you should talk to your daughter or son.
The waters aren't clear. They are really quite muddy.
There's 'mate' and there's 'pal' and there's 'friend' and there's 'buddy'.

'Mate' is oft spoke by some rednecked bush prat.
His stance is aggressive. He wears a big hat.
His neck veins are bulging. His features are ruddy.
This is the fellow that drives me to 'buddy'.

Our ancestors fought in some terrible wars.
They fought for our freedom, a most noble cause.
You may believe I'm an old fuddy duddy,
But here in Australia, I'm free to say 'buddy'.

Whenever you're lost in appellat'ry Hell,
Seek a sure path through the sweet AFL.
There's Selwood and Hodge, and there's Ablett and Juddy.
Each calls the other his very good 'buddy'.

I don't always choose to hang out with the pack.
I like to retreat to my rough mountain shack.
I stay up all night and I sing in the nuddy.
I sing to the stars, "How ya goin' there, buddy?"

I'd like to see that always enjoyed star gazing out in the bush from beneath the brim of my big hat

Your neck veins don't bulge do they, Maureen?

....ah...so we are back on the city versus the bush are we.... ....it always amazes me how city people bag the bush when they generally know very little about it!.....I'm also not too sure how a "Redneck" bushie calling someone Mate in anger is any worse than a peanut with a baseball cap on backwards, wearing a pair of pants that expose his arse or undies or both and waving a knife around saying "c'mon buddy let's do it" is anymore friendly!

Just as an aside, "Redneck" is an American term origionally relating to the Black farmhands generally, who wore a red kerchief around their necks!