The Shepherd's Lament (1846)
Air--"Paddy Whack."
From sweet Tipperary, to Melbourne so dreary,I ventured my body across the blue tide,
In hope to get riches, a hope that bewitches
So many to leave their own snug turf fireside.
Without gaining or losing, I ended my cruising
And saw the broad anchor dive deep in the sand,
Then proud as an Earl, put on my apparel
So carefully kept till the day I should land. Arrah Paddy, my honey, 'tis hard to get money,
Where law has such power to cancel and stop ;
The universe over, from---to Hanover,
I put at defiance to shew such a shop-
But Lord, what derision dispell'd my bright vision,
When Port Phillip I saw, and its long muddy town--
Where pastoral tartars, come in to head quarters.
And riot in joy, till their cheques ere knock'd down. Poor, prospect of dining ! my pocket declining--
Some ill omen'd looks from my landlady too--
Sent me to a squatter, to make his sheep latter,
And live in a sentry box--six feet by two.
Arrived at his station, (cursing all emigration)
He showed me the mansion where I was to sleep,
And long before Phoebus had risen, by Jebus
He counted me out nearly two thousand sheep. I rose from my pallet, replenished my wallet
And followed their trotters twelve months to a day.
My service to mention, was care and attention,
And when it was done I expected may pay.
But when they were mustered, good Lord how he blustered--
My flock had diminished by fifty and three ;
Fetched the to Corio, where I heard a trio
That sentenced poor Pat to relinquish his fee. Q. Notes From the Victorian Newspaper The Port Phillip Patriot Fri 4 Sep 1846 p. 3. From---to Hanover probably meaning From Hell to Hanover. Immigrants were often regarded as fair game to be short changed and tricked out of any remuneration if possible in this case with the help of a corrupt legal system.