Opening Show

Boundless and bare

The heart of this city has lain

And they say even the pigeons look down with disdain

But our City Fathers and its unsung mothers decree

There now will be a show

An initiative born of commerce, say the cognoscenti

Built in the new atmospheric style that’s defining the twenties

Thomas A O’Brien’s picture paradise

Will serve you a seat at a popular price

This is only the start

But already it’s performance art

Those fearsome terraforming engines firing up

Round the gaping lip of a clattering hole

We all crowd in for the show

Have you seen it?

Have you seen it?

Biting deep into the earth

Those giant teeth on the machines

Have you heard it?

Have you heard the cacophony?

Have you trembled beneath the flying girder trapeze?

Have you seen it?

Bricks and mortar

Sculptured plaster

Our culture

Our aching shoulders

Our bodies bruised

Some broken

But our beating hearts are swollen

At the shapes our finest can make

It’s quite a show

Her wondrous minarets

Graceful arches

Our bravest strokes

And our delicate touches

Look she rises

Look she rises

With moistening eyes

We all gather for the speeches

Come and see it

Come and feel it

Come and live it

Come and be it

Come regather it

Come remember it

Come and grieve it

Come and be it

Welcome to our opening show

Our show

Of who we are

And what we do

And all we know

Welcome to the show

Welcome one and all

Welcome to our opening show

Nau mai

Haere mai ki tōr tātou hui nui i tēnei rā