THE GOOD OLD CONCERTINA
(H.Lawson/M.Wyndham-Read)

'Twas merry when the hut was full
Of jolly girls and fellows
We danced and sang until we burst
The concertina's bellows
From distant Darling to the sea
From the Downs to Riverina
Has e'er a gum in all the west
Not heard the concertina

'Twas peaceful round the campfire blaze
The long white branches o'er us
We'd play the tunes of bygone days
To some good old bush chorus
Old Erin's harp may sweeter be
The Scottish pipes blow keener
But sing an old bush song for me
To the good old concertina

'Twas cosy by the hut-fire bright
When the pint pot passed between us
We drowned the voice of the stormy night
With the good old concertina
Though trouble drifts along the years,
And the pangs of care grow keener
My heart is gladdened when it hears
That good old concertina

Youtube clip

The tune following the poem in the YT clip is ‘Echuca Waltz’ from the playing of Harry Schaefer of Forbes collected by Rob Willis.

--Stewie.