The Shearers' Cook (1910)
Now, shearers' cooks, as shearers know,Are very seldom wont to blow;
But when I took to dabbing tar
And "picking up" on Blaringar,
The cook, when "barbers" came at morn
To get a snack, would say with scorn:
"Tea on the left,
Coffee on the right,
Brownie on the bunk, and blast yez!" The "bunk" or slab was in the hut,
And on it "brownie" ready cut;
Two buckets o'er the fire would be--
One filled with coffee, one with tea;
And when the chaps came filing in,
The cook would say, with mirthless grin
"Tea on the left,
Coffee on the right,
Brownie on the bunk, and blast yez!" Peculiar man, this shearers' cook,
And had a very ugly look.
To me--a new-chum rouseabout,
Said he, one day when all were out;
"There's nothing in this world, my lad.
That's worth your worry, good or bad;
Grief on the left,
Sorrow on the right,
Trouble on the bunk, but blast it!' --Exchange. Notes From the Wagga newspaper the Worker 9 Mar 1910 Page 2.