Down Under
Bradleys Lyrics
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On a hippie trail, head full of zombie
I met a strange lady, she made me nervous
She took me in and gave me breakfast
And she said:
"Do you come from a land down under?
Where women glow and men plunder
You better run, you better take cover."
Buying bread from a man in Brussels
Well, he was six foot four and full of muscles
I said, "Do you speak-a my language?"
But he just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich
And he said:
"I come from a land down under
Where women glow and men plunder
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?
You better run, you better take cover."
Lying in a den in Bombay
With a slack jaw and not much to say
I said to the man, "Are you trying to tempt me?
Because I come from the land of plenty."
And he said:
"Do you come from a land down under?
Where women glow and men plunder
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?
You better run, you better take cover."
"Do you come from a land down under?
Where women glow and men plunder
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?
You better run, you better take cover."
The lyrics to Men at Work's "Down Under" describe the experience of a traveller on a "hippie trail," encountering various people and places. The traveller's journey is conveyed in three distinct stanzas, each with a different setting and encounter. The first encounter is with a "strange lady" who makes the traveller nervous, but ultimately provides him with breakfast. The second stanza describes the traveller's interaction with a "six foot four" man in Brussels who gives him a Vegemite sandwich despite the language barrier. The final stanza takes place in Bombay and involves the traveller being tempted by a man, but ultimately asserting his identity as coming from a "land of plenty."
The refrain throughout the song is the repeated question: "Do you come from a land down under?" The phrase "down under" is an Australian colloquialism referring to Australia's position in the southern hemisphere. The song's lyrics, with their descriptions of Australian cultural phenomena like Vegemite sandwiches and thunder storms, playfully emphasize and celebrate the country's unique identity. The song's upbeat rhythm and catchy melody further contribute to its success and popularity.
Line by Line Meaning
Travelling in a fried-out Kombi
On a hippie trail, head full of zombie
I am driving in a beat-up Kombi van on a path defined by hippies, feeling like a zombie.
I met a strange lady, she made me nervous
She took me in and gave me breakfast
And she said:
I encountered an odd woman who made me uneasy, but she was kind enough to provide me breakfast.
"Do you come from a land down under?
Where women glow and men plunder
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?
You better run, you better take cover."
The woman asked me if I am from Australia, where the landscape is stunning but robbers run rampant, and there's an approaching threat of a storm.
Buying bread from a man in Brussels
Well, he was six foot four and full of muscles
I said, "Do you speak-a my language?"
But he just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich
And he said:
I bought bread from a brawny, towering man who didn't understand my language but kindly presented me with a Vegemite sandwich.
"I come from a land down under
Where women glow and men plunder
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?
You better run, you better take cover."
The man declared that he is from Australia, where the scenery is magnificent, but the threat of thieves and impending storms is real.
Lying in a den in Bombay
With a slack jaw and not much to say
I said to the man, "Are you trying to tempt me?
Because I come from the land of plenty."
And he said:
I found myself lounging in a room in Bombay, speechless and incredulous. I asked the man if he was trying to lure me, but I assured him that I hail from a prosperous nation.
"Do you come from a land down under?
Where women glow and men plunder
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?
You better run, you better take cover."
The man asked if I'm from Australia, which has an aura of beauty and danger, warning me of an upcoming storm and danger from thieves.
"Do you come from a land down under?
Where women glow and men plunder
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?
You better run, you better take cover."
The chorus repeats the previous warning of potential danger in Australia due to its astounding landscape and thieves.
Contributed by Alexander T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.