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Iconic Aussie Songs: The Pub With No Beer

Slim Dusty is an iconic Aussie figure in music that will never be forgotten. Often referred to as the hardest working musician in Aussie Country Music, Dusty released many songs that many Australians identify as culturally significant not only to the nation’s identity, but to our history as well.

What’s ironic is that “The Pub With No Beer” actually originated in Ireland. What Slim Dusty successfully managed to achieve was not only covering the song and made it his own, but he managed to turn the song into something that was uniquely Australian. And besides, it’s about beer. What’s not Australian about that?

Originally a poem written by Irish immigrant Dan Sheahan, the work was later adapted by cricketer Gordon Parsons into an original song with strong Australian references. Slim Dusty later took the tune and further developed it. His final version of the song was released in 1957 and became an instant smash hit in Australia.

Dusty became identifiable with the song, and he later released a “sequel”, entitled “The Answer To The Pub With No Beer”. But it was the original that would stay with him forever, and became a staple of his set list, along with other songs such as “Duncan”.

Slim Dusty passed away in 2003, but would be forever remembered as an important Aussie icon who contributed much to our cultural identity.