Dick's Homecoming

In his dreams he see the gray and hot steam rising from the mud pools and thermal springs miles away
And near Christchurch he can hear the bellbirds singing in the beechwoods at the dawning of the day
And he is back in the land of the kiwi and he marvels at the beauty all around
Where mountain stream splash over rocks and pebbles as it hurries down the hill to lower ground.

His friends to see him again feel delighted Dick Spence we've not seen you for many years
They hug him in their joy and there's much laughter and he feels so happy he is moved to tears
His friends to him have always been important and true friends to each other remain true
The sun shines brightly on the snow capped mountain and the homeland skies have never been so blue.

He tells them about his life in Australia the places he has travelled to and seen
A big brown country different to New Zealand than Kiwi Land there's nowhere quite so green
He loved Australia new friendships he forged there and old Wonthaggi he will long recall
But he's happy to be back amongst his old friends and New Zealand is his homeland after all.

The butcherbird was singing in the gray dawn upon high branch of an old silky oak
And kookaburra laughed loud in Wonthaggi as Dick Spence from his pleasant dream awoke
And across the street on gum tree the white backed magpie sang on the branch he sang from every day
As Dick recalled his vision of New Zealand the Land of the long white cloud far away.