PARADISE ISLE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3251, 12 April 1943, Page 3

PARADISE ISLE

[By a Kiwi soldier somewhere in the Pacific.]

You have heard, no doubt, of tropical

isles, Where sun-tanned maidens with lovely

■smiles ’Lie on the beaches ’neath spreading palms And welcome newcomers with outstretched arms.

You have heard of the gentle breezes that blow, And the luscious fruits that the natives grow; While in shimmering waters of azure blue. Swim tropica! fishes of every hue.

You have heard of romance by the 'sandy shores, And freedom unhindered by white man’s laws; Where drinks are ample, tasty and cool And the man who works is a ruddy fool.

But now you know if you’ve used your eyes That the stories you’ve heard are nothing but lies. What women there are, are big and fat; If you look at the others you’re on the mat.

Your only fruit comes out of a tin; Mosquitoes feed on your tender skin. The “gentle breeze” is a stormy gale And tends must be struck —you know the. tale.

The only beaches are miles away, There’s nothing to buy if you get your

pay; And as for the men who never do

work-— They’re only the experts who’ve learned how a shirk.

They’ve rationed our .beer, we can’t get a drink, If you want to write home you’ll find there’s no ink. You wait every day to see if there’s mail,

But they must have a house full up at Bourail.

So when you go home (and let’s hope it’s soon) If songs of the South Seas, New Zealanders croon Just tell them the truth as you’ve seen it, like me In Pacific defence in the year ’43.