The soldier has his glory, and the sailor has his joy,
And we've heard in song and story of the little cabin-boy;
The shearer's mostly beering when he isn't on the strike;
The city clerk's careering on the "time-extended" bike;
Their web of life they spin it on a fast and fevered plan,
But for fun they aren't in it with the cocky's handy man !
Then it's feed the squealing "Dinnis," and it's yard the milkers up ;
The sun's behind Maginnis; an'-'Hi ! Patsy, chain that pup !
Put up thim rails behind you, there, you good-for-nothing lout ;
'Tis often I remind you Holy Smoke ! the pig is out !
Here, Tiger-heel him-heel him! head him, Patsy, at the fince ;
Hurr-hiss, Tiger ! wheei him, there, you gaping want-o'-sinse.'
And "Dinnis" listens gravely to the wild halloo they raise,
Then runs the gauntlet bravely into Dan Malowny's "pays."
The carrier is jolly, and the drover doesn't care ;
The navvy's full of folly, and a demon on the "tear" ;
The miner has his "moments," and the syndicate the mine ;
The "push" a ruction foments when it's out upon the wine ;
But for rorty joy and rapid under Heaven's spacious span
The chance you cannot cap it of the cocky's handy man !
Then it's git up. Captain Punch, there-that's a coo-ee from the stack ;
They're eating all the lunch there-but Kitty'll save my whack ;
Her eyes are black and blazing, but for me they're ever kind,
And in their depths a-gazing I can read a willing mind.
Gee-off ! this blessed lurching knocks the neatest load awry,
And clouds of flies are searching in recess of nose and eye ;
Way-woh-look-out ! it's over. Oh, condemn the crimson, hole!
I'm booked an early "rover"-hear Maginnis bless my soul !
There are places and positions worth the while of man to hold,
And phases and conditions with the shining sheen of gold ;
But, O ! the situation when I Kitty's waist enfold-
I'd change not for creation fair the billet that I hold ;
Through Labour's ranks a-ranging find a fellow if you can
Who'd lose by places changing with the cocky's handy man !
--Ben Sim, in the "Bulletin Reciter."
Notes
From the NSW Newspaper The Freeman's Journal 25 Feb 1909 p. 33.
Top