Since Keith McKenry is about to go on tour I thought I'd post one he's well known for.

To Morrow

(Adapted by Keith McKenry from a song by Bob Gibson)

I started on a journey, last year it was sometime,
To a little town called Morrow, on a Queensland country line.
Now I've never been much of a traveller, and I really didn't know
That Morrow is the hardest place a bloke can try to go.

I went down to the station, to get my ticket there
For the next train to Morrow - I didn't have a care.
Said I, "My friend, I'd like to go to Morrow and return
Not later than tomorrow, for I haven't time to burn".

Said he to me, "Now let me see if I have heard you right.
You'd like to go to Morrow and return tomorrow night.
You should have gone to Morrow yesterday, and back today,
For the train that goes to Morrow is a mile upon its way.

"If you had gone to Morrow yesterday - now don't you see -
You could have gone to Morrow and got back today at Three,
For the train today to Morrow (if the schedule is right)
Today it goes to Morrow and returns tomorrow night."

Said I, "Now, hang on - hold it there - can we wind that back?
There is a town called Morrow on the line, now tell me that."
"There is", said he, "But take from me a quiet little tip,
To go from here to Morrow is a fourteen hour trip.

"The train today to Morrow leaves today at Eight Thirty-five,
And half past Ten tomorrow is the time it should arrive.
Now travellers yesterday to Morrow - who get to Morrow today
They come back again tomorrow (that is, if they don't stay)".

"OK, mate", I said, "You know it all. But kindly tell me, pray,
How can I get to Morrow if I leave this town today'?."
Said he, "You cannot go to Morrow any more today
For the train that goes to Morrow is a mile upon its way!"

I was getting rather aggro. I commenced to curse and swear.
The train had gone to Morrow and had left me standing there.
I decided then that - bother it! - I loathed the Queensland scrub,
And I would not go to Morrow. I went back to the pub.

And, while we were researching for the Trains of Teaure celebration/conference/etc, Brian Dunnett came up with the precursor to the the song/recitation above.

The train that ran to Morrow
By "Sou' Western"
from AFULE Locomotive Journal 13 Feb 1941
Courtesy of Brian Dunnett

I want a train to Morrow
I must get there today
for I wed tomorrow
my sweetheart Elsie May.
The S.M. said in 'sorrer'
"You'll have to go tomorrow;
you can't get there today.
The train that goes to Morrow
is half way on its way."

Now here's a bloomin' fiver
if you can find a driver
to take a train to Morrow.
I must be there today
or all will end in sorrer
if I jilt my Elsie May.

The S.M. he did ponder,
thought in that loco yonder
they still have Puffing Fanny
we can get Young Danny.
"You'll run a train to Morrow
We'll land him there today
to wed them both tomorrow;
himself and Elsie May."

He rang up Pat O'Gorman
the genial loco foreman
"You'll run a train to Morrow
with myself and Danny Fay,
for a bloke the name of Morrow
we must land at 12 today.

Out dashed the busy foreman
to hasten up the storeman
to put the oil in Fanny,
to call the stoker Danny.
The train was duly started
with guests and groom light-hearted.
Paddy opened up the throttle
as he sped her through the wattle
She was priming like a fountain
as she headed for the mountain
He had her blowing at the cocks
as he urged her through the "Rocks"
No word was spoke by either
the stoker or the driver
but Paddy thought in horror
if we fail to get to Morrow
on this blessed wedding day
all this will end in sorrer
for he and Elsie May.

Just around the deviation
there lay old Morrow Station.
They were certain of ovation
Paddy thought in desperation.
To run a train to Morrow
to reach there on the day
but not in time for Morrer
to wed his Elsie May.

The train arrived at noon
not a moment there too soon.
Had the train arrived tomorrow
it would spoil the honeymoon.

Now Paddy did the toastin'
to mate who'd done a roastin'.
The toast he gave was new
Such stokers there were few
should run a train to Morrow
and on a wedding day.
And if it's on to Morrow
my mate is Danny Fay.

"S.M" is Station Master
Cheers, Rowan