Lyr Req: Ironbark Jim

Subject: Ironbark Jim
From: aussiebloke
Date: 10 Jun 02 - 10:43 PM

G'day all...

A friend of mine is trying to resurrect a song she vaguely remembers from her childhood.

She sang me the first verse (or mebbe the chorus) recently, but at this point all I remember is the last line, which is something like:

What he drinks in a day could irrigate New South Wales...

I'll write all that she remembers down next time I see her, and post it here, but mebbe the title and the line is enough to jog a memory...

Thanks in advance for any help.

aussiebloke

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ironbark Jim
From: GUEST,Mad4Mud at work
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 01:02 PM

Here's a site but I don't know if it's the one you want. Not quite the same as your definition....
Click here

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ironbark Jim
From: GUEST,Mad4Mud at work again
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 01:11 PM

Sorry aussiebloke! I can see now that first clicky definitely isn't what you want. I tried a google search on Ironbark Jim and can see there's something about a champion sheep shearer but my connection keeps closing before I can click over to that site. Will try later if no one else can help first.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ironbark Jim
From: MMario
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 01:13 PM

there are several albums that come up in a goodle search that contain the title "ironbark jim" but I can't find any lyrics.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ironbark Jim
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 11:40 PM

G'day all,

Aussiebloke's short quote would suggest a (relatively) modern song, but the fact it comes from friend's memories of childhood requires the ungentlemanly question: "How long ago was that?" (I quickly admit that some people, had their childhood somewhat later than mine!)

Of course, if she could remember a bit more, there might be a few more clues ... that said - MMario's Google search seems to indicate that the song has been recorded by several groups (also suggesting relative modernity ...?).

MMario: Do you have some names for the groups or the albums?

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ironbark Jim
From: MMario
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 08:10 AM

Recorded by SLIM DUSTY on 'Australia is his name' and several others - earliest date shown is 1978

also by TERRY GORDON on 'Marrickville Cowboy' - he credits it as "traditional"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ironbark Jim
From: aussiebloke
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 11:04 AM

Thanks all - she did sing me a whole verse at a folk festival recently, so naturally I can remember most of it. I'll see her over the next week or so, and armed with a trusty pencil...

BTW, she'd be in her late thirties.

aussiebloke

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ironbark Jim
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 13 Jun 02 - 12:05 AM

G'day MMario,

Thanks for that find - it certainly sounds like a Slim Dusty sort of song ... and the date looks about right for aussiebloke's lady friend. I'll see if if I can spot it on a Slim Dusty-related site.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ironbark Jim
From: aussiebloke
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 09:17 PM

More fragments of the song have come to light...


Chorus:
Good old Ironbark Jim
Never seen the likes of him
He's the strongest man in the great outback
He can lift a horse and sulky up on his back
He's as hard as horse shoe nails
Been in all the bush jails
More fleas than a dog and he drinks enough grog
To irrigate New South Wales


Verse fragments:
Jim once entered in a rowing race across Port Phillip Bay
And when the ... ??
Ironbark was on his way

When Jim was only X years old
His father said to him
???
Stop acting like a fool
You ain't gonna shoe that flamin' horse so put that anvil down.

Any of that help to jog memories?

I'm sure that you all spotted my error above...
"...sing me a whole verse at a folk festival recently, so naturally I can remember most of it"
"...sing me a whole verse at a folk festival recently, so naturally I can't remember most of it"

Anyone know how to contact Terry Gordon on the Gold Coast, or have a copy of his or Slim Dusty's recording of the song?

All the best...

aussiebloke

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ironbark Jim
From: aussiebloke
Date: 10 Jul 02 - 06:39 PM

Looking good - A Slim CD it is. Pembo to the rescue...

aussiebloke

Subject: LYRIC ADD: Ironbark Jim
From: aussiebloke
Date: 26 Jul 02 - 10:52 PM

IRONBARK JIM
(Traditional)

Chorus
Good old ironbark Jim, you've never seen the likes of him
He's the strongest man in the great outback
He can lift a horse and sulky up on his back
He's as hard as horseshoe nails, and he's been in more bush jails
Than fleas in a dog, and he drinks enough grog
To irrigate New South Wales

When Jim was only two years old, or so his father said
He couldn't find him anywhere, tif he found him in the shed
He said to ironbark, look here son, stop acting like a clown
You're not goin' to shoe that flaming horse, so put that anvil down!

Chorus

Break

Now when it comes to fighting men, he's the greatest in the land
He'll take on two or three men mate, and only use one hand
Two drovers picked him years ago, but he left them both out cold
Which wasn't too bad, 'cause at the time, he was only nine years old!

Chorus

Old Jim once entered in a rowing race, across Port Phillip Bay
As soon as he heard the starters gun, ironbark was on his way
He left the others far behind, his stamina beat the band
When he finally stopped exhausted, he was a mile and a half inland!

Chorus

Repeat to fade

Transcribed from a Slim Dusty album by Pembo
Posted by MG - 'aussiebloke'