Salt Junk

Words:  Saul Mendelsohn
Music:  Alfred Lee



I am a roving jackeroo and often take pot luck
From Maranoa to Paroo, of wonga, turkey, duck.
The squatters pretty daughters vie to serve me with the best,
I pass their daintiest willing by an choose salt junk for zest.

CHORUS:
Salt junk is my delight, it is my favourite,
The wealth of dear Australia, boys -  the common wealth of Australia, boys -
What ever may betide, by this I will abide -
Of all the meats which grace the hall, salt junk's the king of all.

I am no glutton, no, not I, but this I will avow,
I like a savoury mutton pie, it's jam you must allow,
I also like a kidney stew, roast fowl is my delight,
Of oysters I can gorge a few, still junk's my favourite.

Invited by the Governor, Sir Thomas and Sir Sam,
Or Tozer, Cowley, Theodore, to cod and wiltshire ham;
To fete the guests they have a knack, and that is their vocation,
To English, French and German tack, but junk is collation.

When my remittance comes once more I am the favourite,
Again the invitations pour to parties every night,
The civil service girls I treat, the choicest in the lnad,
For jollity they can't be beat, and I am in demand.


Another from Saul Mendelsohn (Brisbane Ladies), this song is set to the tune of Champagne Charlie, a popular 19th century song by Alfred Lee and George Leybourne.

From the Hurd Collection.

The Drover/Brisbane Ladies

Saul Mendelsohn



Farewell and adieu to you Brisbane ladies
Farewell and adieu to you girls of Toowong
For we've sold all our cattle and cannot now linger
But trust we shall see you again before long

Chorus
We sing and we shout like true Queensland natives
As merrily, merrily, onward we push
Until we return to the Old Cattle station
What joy and delight is a life in the bush

The first camp we make we shall call it the Good Luck
Cabbolture and Kilcoy, thne Colinton hut
We pull up at Stone House, Bob Williamson's paddock
And soon the next morning we cross the Black Butt

On, on past Taromeo to Yarraman Creek, boys
It's there we will make a fine camp for the day
Where the water and grass are both plenty and good boys
The life of the drover is merry and gay

The camp is all snug and supper is over
We lounge round the fire enjoying a smoke
While yarning of home or the life of a drover
Till all join in the chorus to "Grandfather's Clock"

Next night through Nanango - the jolly old township
"Good day to you, lads" wiht a hearty shake hands
"Come on, this is my shout! Well here's to your next trip
And we hope you will step in tonight at our dance

Oh, the girls look so pretty - the sight is entrancing
Bewitching and graceful they join in the fun
Of waltz, polka, first set, and all other dancing
To the old concertina of Jack Smith, the Don

Though far I have travelled through Russia and Finns-land
Have met the famed damsels of Poland and Spain
More lovely and fair are the darlings of Queensland
You may search the wide world for their equals in vain

Now drink to our lasses in right hearty fashion
Come sing the loud chorus - sing farewell to all
We'll drink this town dry then farewell to all
And when we return from the Old Cattle Station
We'll always be pleased to give you a call


This version from the Hurd Collection (1894-1900), and written by Saul Mendelsohn, a storekeeper from Nanango. The more-famous version is that collected by AL Lloyd.

The illustration to this post is of

Wool trains leaving Burenda Station, Augathella, 1910.

from Bonzle