When first I left Old England's shore,
Such yarns as we were told,
As how folks in Australia
Could pick up lumps of gold.
So, when we got to Melbourne town,
We were ready soon to slip
And get even with the captain —
All hands scuttled from the ship.
With my swag on my shoulder,
black billy in my hand,
I traveled the bush of Australia
like a true born native man.
We steered our course for Geelong town,
Then north-west to Ballarat,
Where some of us got mighty thin,
And some got sleek and fat.
Some tried their luck at Bendigo,
And some at Fiery Creek;
I made a fortune in a day
And spent it in a week.
With my swag on my shoulder,
black billy in my hand,
I traveled the bush of Australia
like a true born native man.
For many years I wandered round,
As each new rush broke out,
And always had of gold a pound,
Till alluvial petered out.
'Twas then we took the bush to cruise,
Glad to get a bite to eat;
The squatters treated us so well
We made a regular beat.
With my swag on my shoulder,
black billy in my hand,
I traveled the bush of Australia
like a true born native man.
So round the "lighthouse" now I tramp,
Nor leave it out of sight;
I take it on my left shoulder,
And then upon my right,
And then I take it on my back,
And oft upon it lie.
It is the best of tucker tracks,
So I'll stay here till I die.
With my swag on my shoulder,
black billy in my hand,
I traveled the bush of Australia
like a true born native man.
Leave a guest comment (subject to review)
Comments
-
Thanks
From guest Garr Lystad (contact)
I heard the Seekers' recording of this and enjoyed it. It's nice to have it written down, and I think your words here are pretty close to what the Seekers sing. -
swag on my sholder
From guest racheal blight (contact)
i don't think that is the wright words thank-you -
-
To guest Racheal Blight,
Unfortunately with anonymous poems it is very hard to find a definitive version as they usually only exist in the public domain as someone's rememberance of them and different people will remember different things.
If you could tell me your remembered version and give confirmatory details it is possible to give the alternate in the poem notes.
-
-
great
From guest Abby wilson (contact)
i think it is a great i am doing a project in class and it really hard. i am going to present the song on the keyboard
Adding your comment:
