Billy Can (1915)
I'm jest a useful little canTo have about a home,
A friend of nearly every man,
Especially those that roam. Jest ask the tired old swagger
Upon the blooming track
Wot e'ed do without me,
Yer'll hear 'im answer back I wouldn't be wi'out ye,
No, not for tw enty quid,
When I am all used up, sir,
An' drinkin' out the lid. Yer makes my tea taste better,
Yes, better than a beer;
I'll always be your debtor,
My old black billy dear. But now it's time I shifted camp,
I'm off across the sea,
To where our lads are keeping up
Their end in far Turkey. I'll do the bit your sent for,
I'll cheer our boys out there,
And if I do that little bit,
I've tried to do my share. So 'ere's good luck to billy,
The friend of every man ;
May you bring luck wher'er you go,
Old faithful billy can. -H.M.K. Notes From the Tasmanian Newspaper The Critic 24 Sep 1915 Page 3. The powerful government and newspaper recruiting machine was a mark of the Great War despite the success of the anti-consription movement that twice upset the strident demands for a yes vote for conscription. In this example even the bushman's Billy Can was enrolled in the shameless battle for hearts and minds.