A daily posting of Australian folk songs - 26 January, 2011 to 26 January, 2012.
Check out the Blog Archive for a full listing.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Flash Jack From Gundagai
Trad.
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I've shore at Burrabogie and I've shore at Toganmain
I've shore at Big Willandra and out on the Coleraine
But before the shearing was over I longed to get back again
Shearing for old Tom Patterson on the One Tree Plain
Chorus
All among the wool boys all among the wool
Keep your blades full boys keep your blades full
I can do a respectable tally myself whenever I like to try
And they know me round the backblocks as Flash Jack from Gundagai
I've shore at Big Willandra and I've shore at Tilberoo
And once I drew my blades boys upon the famed Barcoo
At Cowan Downs and Trida as far as Moulamein
But I was always glad to get back again to the One Tree Plain
I've pinked them with the Wolseleys and I've rushed with B-bows too
And shaved them in the grease boys with the grass seeds showing through
But I never slummed a pen my lads whatever it might contain
When shearing for Old Tom Patterson on the One Tree Plain
I've been whaling up the Lachlan and I've dossed on Cooper's Creek
And once I rung Cudjingie shed and blued it in a week
But when Gabriel blows his trumpet lads I'll catch the morning train
And push for Old Tom Patterson's on the One Tree Plain
Another classic from AB Paterson's Old Bush Songs.
Ah - Australian romance. I remember growing up in the 50s in England - reading about the adventure of the sheep stations - did someone really shear 500 sheep in a day? or is my memory playing tricks? The song still evokes a wild beauty.
ReplyDeleteThe Australian and (world record) holder as my history reading tells me its 321 sheep in 7hrs and 41 mins which translates to 335 per 8 hour day using hand shears. It was set by Hackie Howe of Queensland and was a staggering tally as other "top gun" Aussie shearers shore 225 per 8 hour day, 222 per 8hour day, 233 per 8 hr day, but these were, no-sustainable, short term daily tallies. What is more remarkable is that Jackie Howe also averaged 258 per 8 hr day for a whole week, and again 316 per for a whole week. A feat requiring out standing physical effort.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Ross Knox Brisbane Queensland