This was In the Penguin Australian Songbook compiled by J.S. Manifold. It’s a silly little song but it captured my attention because of the references to the animals and the pumpkin and beer. It was a reflection of the strangeness of the land we found ourselves in.

There's an Inglewood cocky of whom I've been told

Who died it is said on account of the cold.

As he lay on his deathbed and wrestled with fate

He called on his children to share his estate.

"Let John have the pig and the pet native bear,

The old kangaroo can be Margaret's share,

Let Mike have the possum that comes when he's called

And Katie the emu, although he's gone bald.

To Mary I’m leaving the pink cockatoo

And that’s about all your poor father can do.

There’s fish in the creek and there’s fowl on the lake

Let each have as much as he’s able to take.

"Farewell, my dear children, no more can I leave,

Don't quarrel or else my poor spirit will grieve,

And if you should marry and have children to rear,

Remember I nursed you on pumpkin and beer."