I guess we Americans are out of touch with Australian folklore. I had never heard this song. But a bit of research shows that it's been included in compilations like "All-Time Aussie Favourite Sing-Along Songs" and "Pub Songs from Down Under, Vol. 2", so obviously it's popular. I've listened to a few sound samples, and I find that it's usually done in a rousing kick-ass style, but I ran across one performer who does it differently, as a slow ballad, as described by Phil above. Graham H. Dodsworth's album "In Good King Arthur's Day" is described here. Unfortunately, he uses annoyingly complex and slow-to-download graphics throughout his web site—and he advertises his services as a web designer! But his performance, in this case is beautiful, and he has generously made the entire song available for download. Click here to play. He calls the song simply RYEBUCK.

RYEBUCK

1. I come from the south. My name is Field,
And when my shears are properly steeled,
There's a hundred or more I have very often peeled,
And of course, I'm a ryebuck shearer.

2. There's a bloke on the board being heard to say
I couldn't shear a hundred a day.
When I find the time, I'll show the way.
I became a ryebuck shearer.

3. I'll shear a tally before I go
Or shears and stones in the river I'll throw,
And I'll never open Sawbees to take another blow,
Till I prove I'm a ryebuck shearer, shearer.

4. And one fine day, I won't say when,
I'll climb up and into the pen.
While the ringer's shearing eight, I'll shear ten,
And I'll prove I'm a ryebuck shearer.

REPEAT VERSE 3.