I've just been listening to our copy of Phil's CD. This is what I hear.

FAREWELL TO GERALDINE
(J.Fleming/Trad/P.Garland)

Chorus:
Oh, fare well to you, old Geraldine,
I am now upon the track.
I'm travellin' down that long and weary road
With a swag all on me back.

I'm headin' towards Temuka town
And if work I cannot find,
I'll make me way on towards Washdyke,
Leave Temuka far behind.

Chorus
So farewell to you...

I'll call in next to old Timaru
And round there take a look,
But if no farmer should want me there
I'll drop on down to the Hook.

Chorus

I'll push ahead then to Oamaru,
Ngapara and Duntroon,
Where cockies often work late at night
By the pale light of the moon.

Chorus

When harvest days are over
And corn is in the sack,
I'll shoulder bluey once again,
By the 'Rattler' I'll be comin' back.

Chorus


Temuka, Timaru Oamaru and Ngapara are all Maori place names. The Hook is about 21 miles from Timaru.
I believe the Rattler was a railway train.
Men who work on dairy farms are often called cow cockies.
I suspect the tune was based on The Leaving of Liverpool but Phil has put his own stamp on it.
Joe Fleming was a swagger (tramp, bum) about 100 years back and he would write verses as a way of thanking people who helped him - gave him work or a place to sleep. He eventually died, frozen to death on the roadside.
Robyn (a Kiwi)