THE SONG OF THE SULKY STOCKMAN

: A Book For Kids

Come, let us sing with a right good ring

(Sing hey for lifting lay, sing hey!)

Of any old, sunny old, silly old thing.

(Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!)

The sun shone brightly overhead,

And the shearers stood by the shearing shed;

But "The run wants rain," the stockman said

(Sing di-dum, wattle-gum, Narrabori Ned.

For a lifting lay sing hey!)



The col s were clipped and the sheep were shorn

(Sing hey for a lilting lay, sing hey!)

But the stockman stood there all forlorn.

(Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!)

The rails were up and the gate was tied,

And the big black bull was safe inside;

But "The wind's gone West!" the stockman sighed

(Sing, di-dum, wattle-gum, rally for a ride.

For a lifting lay sing hey!)



The cook came out as the clock struck one

(Sing hey for a lilting lay, sing hey!)

And the boundary rider got his gun.

(Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!)

He fired it once at an old black crow;

But the shot went wide, for he aimed too low;

And the stockman said, "Fat stock is low."

(Sing, di-dum, wattle-gum, Jerridiiii Joe.

For a lifting lay sing hey!)



They spread their swags in the gum-tree's shade

(Sing hey for a lilting lay, sing hey!)

For the work was done and the cheques were paid.

(Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!)

The overseer rode in at three,

But his horse pulled back and would not gee,

And the stockman said, "We're up a tree!"

(Sing, di-dum, wattle-gum, Johnny-cake for tea.

For a lilting lay sing hey!)



The sun sank down and the stars shone out

(Sing hey for a lifting lay, sing hey!)

And the old book-keeper moped about.

(Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!)

The dingo wailed to the mopoke's call,

The crazy colt stamped in his stall;

But the stockman groaned, "it's bunk for all."

(Sing, di-dum, wattle-gum, wattle-gum, wattle-gum,

Hey for a backblock day!

Sing hey!

Sing hey for a lifting lay!)