The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #66644 Message #1108877
Posted By: Stewie
04-Feb-04 - 04:12 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: The Dying Bushman
Subject: Lyr Add: THE DYING BUSHMAN
Uke, thank you. 'Slasher' it is then. I'll have to get my ears cleared out. I will post a corrected version below in case Joe should ever want to harvest it for the DT.
Many thanks to all for your assistance. It is much appreciated.
THE DYING BUSHMAN
I've knocked around the logging camps since early boyhood days I've seen the famous axemen come and go Now me chopping days are over, I shall swing that axe no more On the hillside where the native timbers grow
Chorus For me slasher is all rusty, and my axe handle's broke I've laid them both behind the whare door For the rata and the rimu have got so goddamn tough That I really cannot cut them any more
The tramways in the valley I shall never tread again No more I'll hear the hauler's whistle blow Well, oft times I look back as I travel down the track Please don't take me from the only home I know
Chorus
I'm a poor old worn-out bushman and my chopping days are done Soon this world shall know I'll be no more Down the valley of the shadow I'll soon be on the track Where oft times I've seen bushmen go before
Chorus
And when I sleep that last long sleep, I pray that it may be Where the tawa and the matai and the pine And the hinau and the ngaio and the koromiko tree Grow forever by that lonely grave of mine
Chorus
Source: transcription from Phil Garland 'Under The Southern Cross' Kiwi Pacific Records CD SLC-239.