SAINT PETER
(H.Lawson/P.Duggan)

Now, I think there is a likeness 'twixt St Peter's life and mine
For he did a lot of trampin' long ago in Palestine
He was union when the workers first began to organise
And I'm glad that old St Peter keeps the gate of paradise

When the ancient agitator and his brothers carried swags
I've no doubt they very often tramped with empty tucker-bags
And I'm glad he's heaven's picket, for I hate explainin' things
And he'll think a union ticket just as good as Whitely King's

When I reach the great head-station that is somewhere 'off the track'
I won't want to talk with angels who have never been outback
They might bother me with offers of a banjo meanin' well
Or a pair of wings to fly with when I only want a spell

I'll just ask for old St Peter and I know when he appears
I will only have to tell him that I carried swag for years
'I've been on the track,' I'll tell him, 'and I done the best I could'
And he'll understand me better than the other angels would

He won't try to get a chorus out of lungs that's worn to rags
Or to graft the wings on shoulders that is stiff with humpin' swags
But I'll rest about the station where the work-bell never rings
Till they blow the final trumpet and the Great Judge sees to things

I first came across this Lawson poem on Alan Scott and Keith McKenry's 'Travelling through the storm' album. Unfortunately, that rendition is not available on YT.

Whitely King was the secretary of the Pastoralists’ Union of New South Wales, an employers’ body established in 1890 to further the interests of farmers, especially with their dealings with labour unions.

Youtube clip

--Stewie.