Years ago I recorded a few songs. It was in the pre-digital era, and I was only able to release them on cassette tape. Now that it's possible to digitise things I thought I'd make some available.

These next three songs are from a cassette album I recorded back in the early 90s called "Worried Australia Blues".

© J.Mackinnon 1986

1. This song's about a bloke that you all know well
His achievements would take minutes to tell
That's all I've got, so what the hell
Here's the story of a bloke called Gunna.

2. When it comes to action he's your man
Big on ideas and big on plans
And he'll never get it done, if anyone can
And that's why we call him Gunna.

CHORUS:

He's gunna do this and he's gunna do that
He's gunna do it soon, it's a well known fact!
But if he ever does I'll eat my hat
He's everyone's mate, old Gunna.

3. His wife is the hardest worker I've seen
She cooks and mows and fixes and cleans
While he's in charge of plans and dreams
This well-known bloke called Gunna.

4. I'm gunna be a millionaire someday
Just mark my words, and heed what I say
Then we'll pack up and sail away
You can bet your life I'm gunna (Chorus)

5. I'm gunna get it done when I've had my rest
That way I'll be sure to give it my best
Anyway, what's tomorrow for ? he says
And that's why they call him Gunna.

6. I'll do it, he says, just give me a break
Just one more day, that's all it'll take
Believe me, it'll be a piece of cake
Yeah, we believe you, Gunna. (Chorus)

7. His mates at work have seen it all 
Except the finished article
'Cause it never gets passed the drawing-board
And that's why they call him Gunna.

8. I'm working on a new idea, says he
It's gunna be a beaut, just wait'll you see
It's as good as done, believe you me
What is it this time, Gunna ? (Chorus)

9. And the children's toys he planned with care
Lie half-constructed everywhere
For Christmas comes mid-March or there-
abouts, according to Gunna.

10. Yeah, if you want action, he's your man
Big on ideas and big on plans
And he'll never get it done if anyone can
And that's why they call him Gunna. (Chorus)

© J.Mackinnon 1984

1. Old Blue was pretty dry, these days they call it cool
I never seen him move an inch from off his favourite stool
The whole world could fall apart and all the mountains fall
Old Blue'd just nod and say, "I've seen it all before"

2. Like the time a few years back when a cyclone hit the town
And the only thing left standing was a couple of holes in the ground
Everyone was frantic, except of course old Blue
He said, "Listen mate, you shoulda been here back in '42"

3. Another time, when locusts had stripped the paddocks bare
And left about as much to eat as the salt flats of Lake Eyre
Out on the verandah old Blue surveyed the scene
He said, "It's pretty good this year really, compared to '43"

4. When the bushfires had gone and we were all standing round
A hundred blackened faces staring dejected at the ground
Old Blue piped up and said, "Did I tell you about '44?''
A hundred sarcastic voices roared, "We've heard it all before!"

5. The last time I saw him, the water was up to his chin
And the flood of '74 was about to do him in
But he was still propping up the bar, last time he was seen alive
Saying, "Not much of a flood really, compared to '45"

Over a number of years round the early 1980's I was involved in a youth service offering various kinds of help to homeless and/or unemployed youth. It was following a period when orphanages were being closed and some of the young people thereby displaced were in need of extra help. I recorded this song later, reflecting some of my feelings about that time.

© J. Mackinnon 1991

1. I saw her walk across the street in liberated jeans
Five-finger discount, like life, come apart at the seams
Going to bed down somewhere as long as it's not alone
She might've been going nowhere but she wasn't going home

She didn't leave home, home left her, packed up and moved away
She didn't leave love, love left her, turned its face away

2. I met him in between times, just out of Etna Creek (*Prison)
From a refuge to a crisis, through the courts by the end of the week
Last time I saw him he dropped in to use the phone
He might've been calling somewhere but he wasn't calling home

He didn't leave home, home left him, packed up and moved away
He didn't leave love, love left him, turned its face away

3. They did the refuge circuit, saw the whole East coast
Knew every social worker and knew more tricks than most
Gathering scars like trophies, something to call their own
They might be going nowhere but they won't be going home

They didn't leave home, home left them, left in no one's care
They didn't choose the street, the street chose them, 'cause no one else was there

[download mp3 file]

The following are two songs from a cassette album I recorded back in the early 90s, called "My Night Off From Saving the World".

These next two songs are my attempt to put myself in the place of some of Jesus' apostles.

© J. Mackinnon 1985

1. My name is Simon, I'm a fisherman
With Andrew, James, John and Zebedee
We work the boats to keep ourselves afloat
In business on the Sea of Galilee
But now my world's been turned upside down
By a fellow who changes people's names
I'd only known him a while when he said with a smile
From now on nothing's gunna be the same

Chorus: From now on the fishing you'll be doing
Won't be fishing in the sea
You must leave your nets without regrets
From now on you'll be following me

2. He said to us, "Come and follow me
And I'll make you fishers of men."
Alright, I thought, I don't suppose it could hurt;
Little did I know back then
It all started with Cana at the wedding feast
When he changed the water into wine
We all got more than we bargained for
When we left our nets behind

3. And the walking on the water episode
I made a fool of myself that time
As a matter of fact I got in on the act;
It seemed the thing to do at the time
But I can tell you the others were just as scared
Sitting there paralysed
And later on when we were alone
Hey, just who is this guy?

4. And the time when he fed five thousand strong
All with a couple of loaves
There was a mountain of scraps, the crowd was rapt
He could've been king if he chose
But he turned his back and walked away
Just when we were getting on top
He didn't want the power, the crowd went sour
We wondered - where's it gunna stop?

[download mp3 file]

© J.Mackinnon 1980 (Tune traditional)

1. I was a simple working man till the Master called my name
And I followed his path to Jerusalem where the crowds chanted and sang
Hosannah! Hosannah! We shouted for joy that day
But I sent my saviour out to die on Calvary today

2. When he first looked in my eyes I knew what must be done
I went and sold all the things I had and left my work undone
All my life, yes all my life I will follow the Master's way
But I sent my saviour out to die on Calvary today

3. When we were with him last night he looked into my eyes
And he said, 'Before the dawn has come, I will be denied.'
'Not me!' I said, 'Surely not me!' but then he turned away
Yes I sent my saviour out to die on Calvary today

4. Still my eyes are red with tears and still my heart's in pain
And still I can hear that lonely voice crying out in vain
'My God! Why have you abandoned me?' and I, I turned away
When I sent my saviour out to die on Calvary today.

[download mp3 file]