On Christmas Eve of ’74 the warning sounded out
For all the broadcast stations, a great storm was near about
The boys and girls asleep in bed, tomorrow was the day
Their mums and dads all prayed the mighty storm would turn away

Santa never made it into Darwin
Disaster struck at dawn on Christmas day
Santa never made it into Darwin
A big wind came and blew the town away

Christmas morning was a nightmare as Cyclone Tracy struck
It ripped apart the buildings like an atom bomb had struck
It twisted iron girders and it flattened all the trees
The might of such a cyclone must be seen to be believed

Santa never made it into Darwin
Disaster struck at dawn on Christmas day
Santa never made it into Darwin
A big wind came and blew the town away

Many boats put out to sea, very few returned
Most were foundered on the rocks or in deep seas overturned

Australia was shocked and saddened as the news came through
The devastated city must be built anew
That suffering and heartbreak could happen in this way
A natural disaster could come on Christmas day

Santa never made it into Darwin
Disaster struck at dawn on Christmas day
Santa never made it into Darwin
A big wind came and blew the town away