The Carol of the Birds

Melody - William James

John Wheeler

1. Out on the plains the brolgas are dancing
Lifting their feet like warhorses prancing
Up to the sun the woodlarks go winging
Faint in the dawn light echoes their singing
Orana! Orana! Orana to Christmas Day.
  2. Down where the tree ferns grow by the river
There where the waters sparkle and quiver
Deep in the gullies bell-birds are chiming
Softly and sweetly their lyric notes rhyming
Orana! Orana! Orana to Christmas Day.

3. Friar birds sip the nectar of flowers
Currawongs chant in wattle tree bowers
In the blue ranges lorikeets calling
Carols of bush birds rising and falling
Orana! Orana! Orana to Christmas Day.

Brolga: A red-headed grey crane of NE Australia, noted for its graceful courtship dances.
Currawong: A large black bird of Eastern Australia, with an attractive call including the sounds "curra-wong".
Friar Bird: A large brown honeyeater, of Eastern Australia, with the head bare of feathers, to allow access deep into flowers.
Lorikeet: Any of a number of small, brightly colored parrots found in different parts of Australia.
Orana: Aboriginal word for dawn or welcome or hail!.

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