All right, here goes. (Joe, have mercy on my ignorant soul if I don't get this right ;)) For reference sake, a cocky is an Australian farmer, and Black Gins are aboriginal midwifes. I can just see this guy sitting on his porch, smoking a bowl, and rocking.....


NOW I'M EASY (Eric Bogle, 1983)

For nearly sixty years I've been a cocky
Droughts and fires and floods I've lived through plenty
And this country's dust and mud
Has seen my tears and blood
But it's nearly over now and now I'm easy

I married a fine girl when she was twenty
But she died while giving birth when she was thirty
No fine doctor then
Just a gentle old black gin
But it's nearly over now and now I'm easy

She left me with two sons and a daughter
On a bone dry farm where soil cried out for water
Though my care was rough and ready
They grew up fine and steady
But it's nearly over now and now I'm easy

Well my daughter married young and went her own way
My sons lie buried On the Burma railway
So on this land I call my own
I'll end my days alone
But it's nearly over now and now I'm easy

Now the city folk they all despise the cocky
On doles and subsidies they say there are plenty
But there's no drought or starving stock
On a pure suburban block
And it's nearly over now I'm easy

For nearly sixty years I've been a cocky
And droughts and fires and floods I've lived through plenty
This country's dust and mud
Has been my tears and blood
But it's nearly over now and now I'm easy
But it's nearly over now and now I'm easy