The 'Burra's Spud Digger's Spree
He had money in the corner of a rag,
A money'd man as you could plainly see;
He was digging spuds from 'Burra land at one-and-two a bag,
Now he's going down to Melbourne for spree.
He had money in the corner of a rag,
A money'd man as you could plainly see.
So look out upon the "length" boys
For Ryan is going down,
He's going " to do his bit in " as you'll see;
His cheque is twenty pounds.
For " Antonia" he is bound,
Where he's going to have a devil of a spree.
He had money in the corner of a rag,
A money'd man as you could plainly see.
The train steamed into Spencer street
On which Ryan was on board,
He stepped out from the carriage
With the air of any lord,
And calling to a cabby
Said " Matilda's " in the van.
Will you go and bring it to me now
As quickly as you can.
He had money in the corner of a rag,
A money'd man as you could plainly see.
The cabby all alertness
On the platform waltzed along,
And soon appeared with Ryan's swag
Pushing through the throng.
Is this " Matilda " sir he said,
Yes that's Matilda Jane,
Just sling it in your wheeler
and jump 0n your box again.
He had money in the corner of a rag,
A money'd man as you could plainly see.
I'm your " Mo " cried cabby
As he took his reins in hand,
And dashed off through the exit gate
You'll think a race he ran.
Where shall I drive your honor ?
To Antonia's Ryan said,
Don't be afraid to use your whip
And give your moke his head.
He had money in the corner of a rag,
A money'd man as you could-plainly see.
When they pulled up at "Toni's"
There must have been a score
Of Ryan's friends and cronies
All gathered round the door.
'Twas " put your flipper there old man,"
Your welcome back to town,
And if you're going to burst your cheque
It will suit us to the ground.
He had money in the corner of a rag,
A money'd man as you could plainly see.
Then Ryan called for twenty pints,
And then for twenty more,
When the beer began to work the boys
They danced around the floor.
They talked of General Bridges
And of Powell of Mafeking,
And while their pints were being filled
They all began to sing
He has money in the corner of a rag,
A money'd man as you could plainly see.
They, praised the Dublin Fusileers,
And danced the Highland Fling,
In memory of the " Gordons "
While with shouts the bar did ring.
They swore they all were heroes,
But the hero of them all
Was the man who paid the piper
And for the beer did call.
He had money in the corner of a rag,
A money'd man as you could plainly see.
Three days from this had scarce elapsed
When cabby in the street,
A gloomy madlike looking man
At a corner he did meet.
Why bli' me 'tis Ryan
Less his swagger and his tin,
And swearing what a bally fool
He was to "do it in."
There was no money in the corner of a rag,
He was not a money'd man as you could see;
With nothing but his swag,
And that is what it cost him for his spree.
MORAL.
Now all you jolly spud diggers
Just think of Ryan's fate,
And button up your pockets
Before it is too late.
At the front door you may enter
While you can, pay for wine,
But when your gonce is gone and spent
They'll send you out behind,
And tell you
There is no money in the corner of a rag,
You are not a money'd man as we can see.
You had better clear away from here,
You and your old swag,
You were nothing but a nuisance on the spree.
Notes
From the Victorian newspaper the Great Southern Advocate Thursday 18 May 1916 p. 3.