Critter Geek
Goodbye to a beloved critter geek: Steve Irwin
It’s not often that the death of a television personality makes me want to weep, but losing Steve Irwin makes me feel exactly that.
Irwin always got a lot of criticism, and you’ll hear more in days to come. What made him so engaging was his delight in and love of the animals he worked with. His excitement was uninhibited and infectious and probably did more for conservation than we’ll ever realize. There aren’t many of us who would emote genuine affection for snake or lizard or crocodile, but Steve Irwin did, and we loved him for it.
Though his family lost him far too soon, it sounds like he died doing the work he loved, and I get the feeling he lived more than many of us ever will.
The Crocodile Hunter
I think the year was 1996, maybe 97,
I received a call from my good friend Kevin,
“Man you’ve got to watch this guy named Steve Irwin,
In the swamps with gators & crocs he should be called Merlin.”
As in the magician I asked? Well the reply was not quite,
This dude is for real with his hands there is no slight,
With nothing else on, I turned to give him a view,
Whoa, now the number of fans will be at least two.
A star was born in the swamp on that summer day,
Risking his life while calling it play,
Where was this Irwin guy from? Australia, no wonder,
I’ve always heard they do things different Down Under.
Not that it’s a bad thing, remember the brothers Gibb?
Like their music, it was a different style that he lived,
With that accent and huge genuine smile on his face,
Definitely couldn’t have been from any other place.
Looking back at the hours and years of entertaining,
It’s sad to realize we’ll only see him on film remaining,
As he became ever more professional in his chosen craft,
Always managing to give a scare only to end with a laugh.
Steve thought mankind more ferocious than a lion’s lair,
Even said getting married seemed to give him a scare,
After seeing his supportive wife with on the show,
You knew about that remark he was joking, you know.
Snakes, hippos, whatever there was never an end,
Little did these creatures know what a wonderful friend,
How can Steve Irwin be described, where would one begin?
Another untimely death let this be the beginning, not the end.
We live in a me first world that’s mostly about high society,
Here was a mere mortal, who cared little about notoriety,
Steve’s smile was lovingly mirrored on his little girls’ face,
How proud she was of him, no one will ever take his place.
For sure many such shows have begun to paddled up stream,
My what a joy, family entertainment, fun, educational and clean,
Yes, Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter is no longer the only one,
Just try telling that to his lovely wife, daughter and son.
Imagine Irwin telling St. Peter he’s early only to be told he’s late,
I can see the Croc Hunter scratching his head standing by the Pearly Gates,
You see Steve, God Almighty is about to start His Heavenly Zoo,
When I asked Him who was going to be in charge, He smiled & said you.
© 2006 by Luke Easter
http://www.LyricsByLucas.com
Steve was kind of kooky but he did so much for the environment and animals. He poured all the millions he made into preserving the wildlife and the environment and I just think we should all pay our respects. He was not just a nationally recognised symbol but international. I just hope that his spirit lives on in many other Australians out there and we all chip in to save the environment form needless destruction.
Peace out and long live the croc hunter.