When Cathy Runs

(She's just in front the Aussie)
(I think she's got them)
(Cathy hanging on)
(Yes she's done it, she's won it, what a run)

Not the best of starts
Just five and a half
Family torn apart
So you moved around
Up near Mackay town
Never settling down
And a man named Bruce
Would look after you
Coach and father too
By the age of eight
You were doin' great
Champion of your State

And they'll try to stop you (try to stop you)
But they're never goin' to (never goin' to)
Let her run, let Cathy run

So you found your fame
First Commonwealth Games
Gold in the relay
A sweet victory
For the world to see
Makin' history
Just sixteen years old
Youngest to win gold
A positive role
What you showed us there
It was held dear
Young Aussie of the Year

And they'll try to stop you (try to stop you)
But they're never goin' to (never goin' to)
Let her run, let Cathy run

It was triple gold
Games of '94
Though you stood tall
You were criticised
For a flag you prized
It showed your two sides
Those two sides of you
Displayed proud and true
For the world to view
And awareness came
To replace the blame
Those two sides are the same

And they'll try to stop you (try to stop you)
But they're never goin' to (never goin' to)
Let her run, let Cathy run

When Cathy runs two worlds collide
It makes no difference if you're black or white
When Cathy runs I feel a nation fill with pride
Two hundred years of racial tension stand aside
When Cathy runs
When Cathy runs

Atlanta saw your best
Could be nothing less
Yet second to Pérec
It was finally yours
At Athens we saw
World champion in the four
Now we're being told
It's Olympic gold
That Sydney holds
Those medals may come
But you've already won
The heart of a nation

And we'll never stop you (stop you)
Doin' what you do so well
Let her run, let Cathy run

When Cathy runs two worlds collide
It makes no difference if you're black or white or blue or green
When Cathy runs I feel a nation fill with pride
Two hundred years of racial tension stand aside
When Cathy runs
When Cathy runs