Lyr Req: Farewell to Geraldine

Subject: Lyr Req: Farewell to Geraldine
From: Stewie
Date: 11 Oct 03 - 01:35 AM

Does anyone have the lyrics to Joe Fleming's little poem set by Phil Garland to what sounds like a variant of 'Leaving of Liverpool'? It has numerous place names. By a Google search, I found there are places in New Zealand that sound close to what Garland sings: Tomoka, Timaru, Amaru, Para and Duntroon, but I could find nothing like 'Wadswash dyke'. I would like comfirmation or correction of the place names and the incomplete line completed if anyone can oblige. I think the poem has been published in a Phil Garland songbook which perhaps some Kiwi 'catter may have. Here's what I hear:

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

Chorus:
Oh, fare well to you, my 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 Tomoka town
And if work I cannot find
I'll make me way unto Wadswash dyke
Leave Tomoka far behind

Chorus

Perhaps I'll call in at Timaru
And round there take a look
But if no farmer should want me there
I'll drop on down to the ?

Chorus

I'll push ahead then to Amaru
The Para and Duntroon
Where farmers 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

Source: transcribed from Phil Garland 'Under The Southern Cross' Kiwi Pacific Records CD SLC-239.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: FAREWELL TO GERALDINE
From: Little Robyn
Date: 11 Oct 03 - 05:06 AM

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)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Farewell to Geraldine
From: Stewie
Date: 11 Oct 03 - 05:53 AM

Robyn, many thanks for the corrections to the place names and 'the Hook'. I really appreciate it.

You have transcribed from a different album - 'Swag O' Dreams', I reckon. I overlooked that that had the song on it. The 'on towards' and 'the Hook' are much clearer on that recording, but I much prefer the performance on 'Under the Southern Cross' with guitar backing only. The singing is more expressive, more reminiscent of his marvellous recording of 'Stable Lad' on 'Colonial Yesterdays' to which the one on 'Swag O' Dreams' doesn't measure up in my opinion. On the 'Southern Cross' recording of 'Geraldine' he sings 'my' Geraldine instead of 'old' and 'farmers' instead of 'cockies.

Thanks again,

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Farewell to Geraldine
From: Little Robyn
Date: 11 Oct 03 - 07:01 AM

Yes, we have Swag o' dreams.
Oh, and Geraldine isn't his girlfriend - it's another town in the South island, about 22 miles from Timaru.
Cheers,
Robyn