Rakali

https://malwebb.bandcamp.com/track/rakali

Am I a cat, a foreign rat or a rabbit?
Nup, I’m a rakali, I’m a native here
All around Australia and across to PNG
You’ll find the likes of me

Not an otter, nor platypus, beaver neither
Nup, I am a Golden-bellied Water Rat
Latin name Hydromys chrysogaster means the same
And more than 53
Local mobs each have a name for me
Hence, I’m not a feral, putting in habitat peril, ’cos I

Don’t carry pox, not like a fox, and I can eat
Cane toad that I flip and skip the poison bits (yum!)
Plus, when I’m in town, it keeps the pest rat numbers down
I’m good to have around

Swimming about, jump in and out, nab a yabby
See my lovely fur they used to hunt me for
You may recognise me by my white-tipped tail and say
“That’s a rakali, hey…
Have no fear, it’s a rakali, dear
Yeah, no jokes, it’s a rakali, folks
Don’t be rude, it’s a rakali, dude
Celebrate, it’s a rakali, mate”
Great!

Webby toes behind to help me swim
Whiskered nose for when the light is dim
Chillin’ out throughout the heat of day
Dusk to dawn, we’re busy, thus you say
“Have no fear, it’s a rakali, dear
Don’t you know, it’s a rakali, bro?
Gratitude for the rakali, dude
Celebrate, it’s a rakali, mate”
Great!

© Mal Webb 2025

Rakali was originally a tune called Squirrels, which I wrote for the puppet show Whispering Smith, by Wishworks Puppets in UK, which only a month ago before making this album I decided to put lyrics to. After a few days of writing lyrics about Squirrels with not much joy, it dawned on me that I should give it to a more local scampering critter.