Mazlin's Mill

Words: Unkown

Tune: Traditional (Freedom's on the Wallaby)

Now I'm a bullock driver and I work for Mazlin's Mill
And pulling timber from Vine Creek I've nearly had my fill
And when the rain it comes at last, the roads they are like glue
It's dig her out, or double-bank to find the balance due

The cutters are no better off, at us they cannot grin
For when they get their timber cut they cannot get it in
And my advice to you my boys, please do not take it ill
Far better turn your bullocks out than work for Mazlin's Mill

Ron Edward's notes:

Mazlin's Mill was collected by John Meredith, and appeared in "Challenge" 10 February, 1954. According to Meredith's correspondent this particular Vine Creek is near Ravenshoe, N.Q., and the song dates from the thirties.

The tune is given as "Freedom on the Wallaby", (better known as "Australia's on the Wallaby").

The four Mazlin brothers were pioneer timbermen in the Atherton area of North Queensland, and the creek that runs through the town of Atherton is named after one of them.

Will Mazlin's timber mill was on Cedar Creek, Ravenshoe, and a recent informant tells me that Will may still be alive. When last heard of he was living in Brisbane. In "Folksongs of Australia" the title is given as MAZLIM"S MILL, but this is an error.

The illustration to this post is a photograph of the Mazlin Creek Bridge, Atherton.