One of the Has-beens

I’m one of the has-beens, a shearer I mean;
I once was a ringer and used to shear clean;
I could make the wool roll off like the soil from the plough,
But you may not believe me, because I can’t do it now.

Chorus:
I’m as awkward as a new chum, and I’m used to the frown,
That the boss often shows me, saying, ‘Keep them blades down!’

I’ve shore with Pat Hogan, Bill Bright and Jack Gunn,
Charlie Fergus, Tommy Layton and the great roaring Dunn;
They brought from the Lachlan the best they could find,
But not one among ’em could leave me behind.

Well, it’s no use complaining, I’ll never say die,
Though the days of fast shearing for me have gone by;
I’ll take the world easy, shear slowly and clean,
And I merely have told you just what I have been.