Long Drovers Poems

My Lords an adjournment is 
Called for...
All my retire;
But holding foremost in your
Thoughts,
I beseech ye,
Thee impudent countenance of
This most ardent denier.
Therefore heed me,
I caution all ye present,
Thou shall not disband;
Moreover, to reassemble at any
Sudden instance...

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JOE WHITE

Back in 1880 you will find, Joe White he was about.
The Brumby runner master mind. Of this I'll leave no doubt.
He took from Mugan station, 600 Brumbies yes my friend.
Had the best riders of...

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Our Mate Charlie Brummell
Yes mate we went a droving back in nineteen fifty eight, 
The drovers cook was pretty rough, he couldn`t wash a plate. 
Hector he was fifty two, when he burnt our damper...

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Back in 1880 you will find, Joe White he was about.
The brumby runner master mind. Of this I'll leave no doubt.
He took from Mugan station, 600 brumbies yes my friend.
Had the best riders of the...

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I felt I’d been to hell and back before we reached the reedy flat,
where the cattle mobbed before we crossed the stream.
Old Harry called me over, taking off his battered hat
“This is where she died...

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Wally some call him Zip (fed em black duck) (crow actually) Kakadu song man of Gulf town
Karumba Australia

Stay alive in 55 and 56 said the roadside sign..
As the Ford Mercury whizzed by on local Brisbane...

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Too, the wives of shearers, drovers and the teamsters of the day 
fought the months of isolation while their husbands were away. 
Still they kept the home-fires burning and would do the many chores, 
just...

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The front bar of the Criterion is filling up,
It’s after five and the patrons are filing in.
Placed orders echoing off the old timbers 
Vying to be heard and adding to the din.

The Grand Old Lady...

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Bronco Don Johnson and Bally Watson...

Oh they speak of Bally Watson and the Dirran boys don't laugh...
Yet they tell in whispers how his ear was shot in half...
Old Bronco Don had shot him for everyone...

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I'm on my way to a different day 
A day of long ago. 
Where the buffalo roam 
And the long horns groan 
As down the trail they go. 

There isn't much time for them to...

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NB - familiarity with the pronunciation of the British place names in this poem is essential to comprehend some of the lines - and to ensure the tongue twisting effect in parts.

The Seven Siren Sisters...

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He lived in the lighthouse next to the crashing sea 
Everyone knew of him, but they’d all leave him be
Down past the cliffs, away from the fishing town
His beauty gone unnoticed, masked by a frown...

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The drovers' hearts were beating fast
When our grueling drive was done.
They'd had their fill of dust and beans,
And the only thing they wanted now,
Was a long, hot bath, and some cow town fun.
  ...

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Easter Bunnies

Easter bunnys bellies burning ,
From the poison virus mate,
Aussie farmers want him murdered ,
For every blade of grass he takes,

Have you seen a mattry eyed, blind bunny,
A stumbling to and fro,
Have you felt his...

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“Go west young man”, the neighbors said; but they wisely stayed at home.
From pianoforte to pianoforte, saloon to saloon, town to town I roam.
Surrounded by Phillistines, “soiled doves”, cowpokes, and dullards,
Gamblers, dealers, dance hall girls,...

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The Ancient Track strides out across the plain,
A trading route five thousand years ago,
A constant presence – sunshine, wind and rain,
Forever onward winds the ancient road.
	The Ancient Track strides out across the plain;
	Explore with me...

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The old bush pub has seen some times
I'll wager things were good
When all it was, was sheets of tin
and rough cut planks of wood

When cattlemen tied up their steeds
to posts along the street
and spurs adorned...

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I made it out
To Castlereagh
By peddling
Along the verge
Banjo said
'tis the land of lots o time'
That will do me
Just fine
I seen lots of sheep
Wasn't sure if they were Conroy's
So enquired
Of Old mate
Standing
By his gate
108
In the shade...

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 Aub
Aubrey Gordon Joseph Mc'Govern 
by Don Johnson... 
he was born in 1895 to a land so different then, 
one of three boys born at Brenda station, 
near to Hebel up the river near the...

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Try and Stop Em
Harold Roy Miller

The longhorns were getting hard to hold
as the thunderstorm came in fast and cold.
The dark black clouds were starting to hover
as the fretful steers made a sweep for cover.

The herd...

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Excitement filled the bushland as December was near
Every creature had been waiting for Christmas time - all year.
Wallabies hung their stockings on a  gumtree branch with care
Just as all nice children do – everywhere.

Meanwhile...

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Through my Magic Window 
I see the cowboys on the hill
Trying to convince the cattle 
That they have had their fill

"Jist goes ahead un snuff nu blow 
Cause ut er a thousan' miles ta go
Bafor...

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When night came, the cattle bedded down 
And the night riders making their rounds
Samuel would take a strole to the chuck wagon 
And Cookie would hand him his cup of coffee

As he savored it's taste
He'd...

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Moon over Thunderbox
The moon shines bright on the thunderbox tonight,
Little Charlie raced down and jerked open the door,
Something big and bright almost bloody white
A horror that he almost bloody saw,
Messed  his pants upon the...

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Cattle trucks drive highways now
where drovers once held sway
Heavy rigs of chrome and steel
replaced the horse and dray

Gravel tracks of rich red earth
that rambled near and far
Have disappeared forever
‘neath miles of hot black tar

The billabong...

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