G'day again Joybell,

(I was trying to post this ... when the WWW rolled over - I don't think i have ever seen a printed version of Coppin's Australian words to We're All A'Dodgin' ... I'll check a few of the 19th c. printed collections - but I can't bring it to mind.)

I should have said that your summary (09 Oct O04 - 05.51AM) seems pretty accurate for the mixed background of this song, as heard in Australia.

Joe Yates's version carries over quite few specific phrases from that posted by Q (09 Oct O04 - 02.23PM) as CHAPTER OF CHEATS
(or, The Roguery of All Trades ... Bodleian Library. Harding B11(571), between 1819 and 1844, printed in London by Pitts.
Roud # 628. *Malsters ? )

... but moves them into the tighter, more repetitive "American" style that clearly contributes much to the song's survival.

A song that can always find appropriate targets!

Regards,

Bob