Off To The Diggings (1867)
A Song by Ralph Delany
I'm off to the diggings, hurrah !
I'm off to the diggings my fortune to seek,
Ho ! which is the road to Gympie Creek ? I've got a blanket, a billy, and pan,
A pick that never been handed by man;
Plenty of tucker, what more would you seek ?
So I'm off on the road to Gympie Creek. To carry my swag I've gotten a cob--
He cost me, with saddle, just thirty bob--
He'll do the journey in less than a week,
Then hey ! for the gold on Gympie Creek. There is Malcolm and Nash have made their pile,
And have taken it easy all the while.
While I've been slaving until I am weak,
But now I'm off to Gympie Creek. Who at the back of a counter would stay,
To measure out calicoes day by day,
And all for twenty bob a week,
VVhen gold is so plenty on Gympie Creek ? So I'm off to the diggings, hurrah ! hurrah !
I'm off to the diggings, hurrah !
I'm off to the diggings, my fortune to seek,
Is this the road to Gympie Creek ?
Notes
From the the Brisbane Courier Thursday 18 October 1917 p. 4.