Corinna
Ron Edwards collected two versions of this song, and many fragments. The version you are after is the most well known. Ron lists 10 verses in his "Overlanders Song Book". I will list the ones most commonly sung.
Oh! the shearing is all over and the wool is coming down, And I mean to get a wife, boys, when I go down to town! Everything has got a mate that presents itself to view, From the little paddymelon to the jumping kangaroo
Chorus So roll up your blankets and let us make a push I'll take you up the country and show you the bush You won't get the same chance, I'll be bound another day, So come on and take possession of the old bullock dray.
And now I've got a big cheque I mean to buy a team; And when I get a missus, boys, I will be all serene; By applying all the depot I hear there's no delay In getting an off-side partner for an old bullock dray I'll take care of beef and damper that you'll have quite enough We'll boil in the bucket such a whopper of a duff, And our mates will all dance in honour of the day To the music of the bells of the old bullock dray
We'll live like fighting cocks-for good living I'm your man We'll have leather-jackets, johnny-cakes and fritters in the pan And if you fancy fish I'll get them for you soon, We'll bob for barramundi on the banks of the lagoon
I'll teach you with the whip the bullocks how to flog, You shall be my offsider when we're stuck in the bog; Cut about, right and left, all that comes in your way, There'll be hair and skin flying round the old bullock dray
We'll have lots of picaninnies, but you mustn't mind that, Flash little Maggie and Buckjumping Pat, Stringy-Bark Joe and Greenhide Mike- My Colonial, you can have just as many as you like.
I have heard versions sung that are shorter than this, and with variations of wording, but I guess that is folk music!
Regards Chris
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