Lyrics Big Frogs In Little Puddles - 1994 Remaster - Slim Dusty

Big frogs in little puddles laying down the law
Tying bows in red tape and dont know what theyre for
I thought our soldiers went to war to keep Australia free
But big frogs in little puddles are choking you and me
Choking you and me

Old Tom staggered to the office door of a North West frontier town
And he cried give me food and water,
And Ill tell you all what Ive found
Yes Ive found a mountain made of iron ore
And thisll make the money flow
But the office Johnny said now steady on,
We must do things correct you know

I just cant hand out town supplies to everyone who asks
And youre not a resident of this here town,
So, youre not my business task
Oh but heres a requisition form, and its in triplicate if you please
Now steady old man, why I believe hes passed out,
Oh I wonder where that mountain could be

Oh big frogs in little puddles laying down the law
Tying bows in red tape and dont know what theyre for
I thought our soldiers went to war to keep Australia free
But big frogs in little puddles are choking you and me
Choking you and me

Well they found old Toms iron mountain,
And the town grew big and fast
All the knobs felt quite important,
Living down their humble past
And if some started asking questions,
Well there was the good old pass the buck
And if little folk got in their way,
Well it was just their bad luck

In the mines a young lad was killed one day so they sent the message home
And his mother came over a thousand miles so hed not be buried alone
Someone broke it to her gently, that it might be rather rough
A coffin made of Masonite, and the hearse just a dirty truck

Oh she cried a while and then she asked for flowers
But there were none to be had in the town
So they sent to the council office,
To see if some could be found
But the clerk in charge said What can I do?
Shell have to it in good part
Oh I guess he was just too busy to be bothered with a mothers heart

Oh big frogs in little puddles laying down the law
Too busy in their little worlds to know what hearts are for
Success and money they might have but they better not forget
Their puddles may dry up someday and theyll deserve the scorn they get