One of the things I liked about John Cain (who used to be the premier of Victoria, Australia) was that he refused to allow poker machines in the state. Of course everyone just went across the border to New South Wales to throw their money away. Eventually, of course, Victoria caught up with the rest of the country. This song is about some of the social problems that ensued.
The title refers to the mistaken belief that a series of past negative results will be balanced by more positive results in the future. Anyone who has studied probability theory - or uses a bit of common sense - knows that chance has no memory.
Lyrics:
I used to put a little money on a horse.
Sometimes I'd win, sometimes I'd lose of course.
Then a whole new way of gambling came upon the scene.
The temptation at first was not so great
Because you had to travel interstate
To play the one-armed bandit,
Poker machine.
...Five reels are spinning round.
...I'm waiting to hear that winning sound.
...Come on Mister Cashman, do your dance.
...Watching all my money burn.
...Soon my luck is sure to turn.
...I'm due to win, according to the laws of chance.
The pubs and clubs were very keen
To get this wealth-making machine.
They said, "We all have quite a lot to gain.
The money paid by me and you
Will bring in lots of revenue!"
"Over my dead body!" said John Cain.
I heard a story yesterday.
A lady came to the club to play.
She parked her car and locked her child inside.
The pokies had her hypnotized.
Hours passed before she realized,
And as the reels spun round
Her little baby died.
Penguins and dolphins dance about
As I work towards that big payout.
I can't stop now, though I really can't afford to play.
My wife left me the other night.
Will she come back? Perhaps she might.
If I bring home the jackpot, then she'll stay.
...(No chorus)
Looks like I've lost the winning thread.
Should have quit while I was still ahead.
Now I see my money going down the drain.
And as I play throughout the night,
I can't help thinking you were right,
You were right to ban these bastards, Mister Cain.
...Five reels are spinning round.
...I'm waiting to hear that winning sound.
...Come on Mister Cashman, do your dance.
...Watching all my money burn.
...Don't think my luck will ever turn.
...I've been cheated, defeated by the laws of chance.
Rating: User: raymondcrooke 2007-05-03T22:47:03.843Z
Tags:
folk | song | gambling | addict | addiction | money | pokies | Victoria | Australia | protest | social |