Damper And Tea

Words: PS Raphael
Tune: Trad (The Maid of Llangollen)



Though torn is my tent and my bed is a sack
I pity that cove with a swag on his back
From rush to new rush away scampers he
While I'm here snugly taking my damper and tea
While I'm here snugly taking my damper and tea


At morn to my work as I go I oft think
What a great many duffers 'tis my fate to sink
And wonder if ever a nugget there'll be
To afford me aught else with my damper and tea
To afford me aught else with my damper and tea


That red-belted coon found a nugget close by
He cuts it fat with sardines, and drinks porter when dry
But with book or pen no pleasure has he
So i'd rather have only my damper and tea
So i'd rather have only my damper and tea


From Small's Colonial Songster (1857).