G'day again,

Oh yes ... I should have mentioned that Duke wrote the song on his first shearing job, probably up the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, in 1905. This was his reaction to his first experience of drinking with a bunch of boastful workers. The final two verses were added later ... and updated, in respect of transport used, once or twice.

In respect of When Irish Eyes are Smiling, I have always assumed that this is an American sentimental ballad written for the Irish/American market ... but there is a Ned Kelly song: Farewell to Greta that was collected in the 1950s with a tune that appears to be the first part of When Irish Eyes are Smiling. Just when the words - and this tune - got together is not easily traced.

Regards,

Bob Bolton