Shovellin’
‘When a crisis challenges a nation / Men will rise to the situation
A mountain growing up / Ash keep falling
Soon as ashing stop / Men out there shovelling’
‘Reporting to the check point / Heading for the ash zone
And what’s your mission / Just checking on my home
No delaying / They don’t want their roofs drop
So they’re taking action / and shovelling non-stop
You should hear them
(Shovelling, shovelling, shovelling)
All over you see them
(Shovelling, shovelling the rooftops, shovelling)
Sweat on their brow
(Shovelling, shovelling, shovelling)
Ok for now
(Shovelling, shovelling the rooftops, shovelling)
One motion (Dig, toss)
Double up the motion (Dig, toss)
Ash is heavy load
Ash is heavy load’
– Extract from Song 'Shovellin'' by Zunky 'n Dem

Even MVO scientists were not immune to the shovelling of volcanic ash. Credit: MVO Archive.

A man sweeping the entry to his shelter on Christmas Day. Credit: Peter Filleul