Give Me a Home Among the Gum Trees

This is a little song I learned while in Australia. It's apparently only been popular for about 10 years. This is actually just the chorus.

Give me a home among the gum trees
With lots of plum trees
A sheep or two and a kangaroo
A clothesline out the back
Veranda out the front
And an old rocking chair

Of course, the cute part is the little gestures that go along with it. Unfortunately they're easier to show than explain in words.

Give me a home

Hold your arms over your head, coming up to a point at the hands. This is the roof of your home.

among the gum trees

Move your arms out and spread your fingers. You're a gum tree.

With lots of plum trees

Wiggle your fingers and wave your arms slightly to indicate the plums.

A sheep or two

Hold your hands to each side of your head with your index fingers pointed up. These are the horns of your sheep.

and a kangaroo

Hold your arms up tight in front of your chest, wrists limp and fingers curved so that they point back down to the ground. Hop a couple times. Congratulations, you're a kangaroo!

A clothesline

Hold your hands out in front of your chest, index finger to thumb on both hands and start out with these four fingers together. Move your hands apart, keeping index finger to thumb on each hand.

out the back

Point your thumbs out and bend your arms up to point behind you with your thumbs.

Veranda out

Hold your arms up in front of your chest, bend your hands at the wrist so they point straight up and bend your fingers so they point straight in front of you. Push your arms forward while straightening your hands & wrists out. Your fingers should stay at the same level as you do this.

the front

Change your hands to point in front of you with your index fingers.

And an old rocking chair

Hold your arms out to each side like they're resting on the arms of a chair. Rock back and forth at your waist.

Return to Lee's Australia page.
Author:
Created: 20 Mar 1995(?); Last Modified: 22 May 1996