Down Under Song Lyrics & More!

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1) Click Go The Shears 03:17

In the middle of the shed, the old shearer stands
Grasping his shears, in his thin bony hands
Fixed in his gaze is the bare bellied yo
Glory if he gets it won't he make the ringer go

Chorus:
Click go the shears boys, click, click click.
Wide is his blow and his hands move quick
The ringer looks around and he's beaten by a blow
He curses the old snagger with the bare bellied yo.

In the middle of the floor in his cane bottom chair
Sit's the boss of the boards with his eyes everywhere
He notes well each fleece as it's taken to the screen
Paying close attention that it's taken off clean.

The tar boy is there, he's waiting on demand
with the blackened tar pot in his tarry hand
See's one old sheep with a spot upon its back
Here's what he's waiting for, its "Tar here, Jack."

The colonial experience man is waiting there of course
Shiny boots & leggings, sittin on his horse
Eyes all around him like a real connoisseur
Scented soap and Brilliantine and smelling like a whore.

The shearing is all over, we've all got our checks
It's pack up your swags boys and off down the track
The first pub we come to it's there we'll have a spree
And everyone who comes along, it's "Have a drink with me."

2) The Black Velvet Band 03:33

CHORUS
Her eyes they shown like the diamonds,
You’d think she was queen of the land
Her hair hung over her shoulders,
tied up with a black velvet band.

In a neat little town they called Belfast,
Apprenticed to trade I was bound
And many an hour of sweet happiness, I spent in that neat little town.
Till bad misfortune came o’re me,
And caused me to stray from the land.
Far away from my friends and relations, To follow the black velvet band.

CHORUS

As I went out strolling one evening, not meaning to go very far.
I met with a ficklesome damsel. She was selling her trade in a bar.
When a watch she took from a customer,and slipped it right into my hand
Then the law came and put me in prison. Bad luck to her black velvet band.

CHORUS

Next morning before judge and jury, for trial I had to appear
The Judge he said me young fellow, the case against you is quite clear.
And seven long years is your sentence, you’re going to Van Dieman’s land
Far away from your friends and relations, to follow the black velvet band.

CHORUS

So come on, my jolly young fellows, I’d have you take warning by me.
When ever you’re after the liquor me boys, beware of the pretty colleens.
They’ll fill you with whiskey and porter, till you are not able to stand
And the very next thing that you know me lads
You’ve landed in Van Dieman’s land.

CHORUS
CHORUS

3) Bluee Brink 03:50

There once was a shearer by name, Bluee Brink
A terror for work and a devil for drink
He could shear his 200 a day without fear
Drink without blinkin four gallons of beer.

Now Jimmy the barman who served out the drinks
He hated the sight of this here Bluee Brink
He'd stay much too late and he'd come much too soon
At morning, at evening, at night and at noon.

One morning as Jimmy was cleanin the bar
With sulphuric acid he kept in a jar
Bluee came bawlin and crying with thirst
What ever you’ve got there just give to me first.

It’s not down in history, you won’t find it in print
That shearer drank acid with never a wink
Saying “Why that’s the stuff Jimmy, why strike me cold dead
This will make me the ringer of Stevenson’s shed

All through the long day as he served out the beer
Jimmy was rooted and shaking with fear
To anxious to argue too worried to fight
He was seein’ that shearer a corpse in the night.

Next morning when Jimmy was opening the door
Along came that shearer, he was asking for more
With his eyebrows all singed and his whiskers deranged
Holes in his hide like a dog with the mange.

Say’s Jimmy “And how did you like the new stuff?”
Says Bluee “It’s fine but I’ve not had enough
It gives me great courage to shear and to fight
but why does that stuff set me whiskers a light?”

I thought I knew drink but I must have been wrong
That stuff that you gave me was proper and strong
It set me to coughing as you know I’m no liar
and every damned cough set me whiskers on fire.

4) The Fields Of Athenry 04:09

By a lonely prison wall, I heard a young girl calling
Michael they have taken you away
For you stole Trevelyn's corn,
that our young might see the morn
Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay.

CHORUS:
Low lie the Fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing,
We had dreams, songs to sing
It’s so lonely round the Fields of Athenry.

By that lonely prison wall, I heard a young man calling,
Nothing matters Mary, when you’re free
Against the famine and the crown
I rebelled, they cut me down
Now you must raise our child in dignity.

CHORUS:

By a lonely harbour wall, she watched the last star falling
As the prison ship sailed out against the sky
Now she lives and hopes and prays
For her love in Botany Bay
It’s so lonely round the Fields of Athenry.

CHORUS:

5) The Wild Colonial Boy 04:13

There was a wild colonial boy, Jack Dugan was his name.
He was born and raised in Ireland, in a place called Castlemaine.
He was his father's only son, his mother's pride and joy.
And dearly did his parents love "The Wild Colonial Boy"

At the early age of sixteen years he left his native home,
And to Australia’s sunny shore he was inclined to roam.
He robbed the rich, he helped the poor, he shot Judge McAvoy
A terror to Australia was "The Wild Colonial Boy".

One morning on the prairie as Jack he rode along,
A-listening to the mocking bird a-singing a cheerful song.
Out stepped a band of troopers, Kelly, Davis and Fitzroy
They all set out to capture him, "The Wild Colonial Boy".

Surrender now, Jack Duggan, for you see we're three to one
Surrender in the Queen's high name you are a plundering son
Jack drew two pistols from his belt and proudly waved them high
I’ll fight, but not surrender said The Wild Colonial Boy.

He fired a shot at Kelly which brought him to the ground,
And turning ‘round to Davis he received a fatal wound
A bullet pierced his proud young heart from the pistol of Fitzroy
And that was how they captured him, "The Wild Colonial Boy".

6) One Of The Hasbeens 02:54

I’m one of the has beens, a Shearer I mean.
I once was a ringer, and I used to shear clean
I could make the wool roll off easy, like soil from the plow
But you may not believe me, cause I can’t do it now.

CHORUS:
I’m as awkward as a new chum,
and used to the frown, that the boss often shows me
Saying, keep them blades down.

I shore with Pat Hogan, Bill Bride and Jack Dunn
Charlie Fergus, Tommy Layton, and the great Roaring Dunn
They brought from the Lachlan, the best they could find
But not one among them could leave me behind.

CHORUS:

Now there’s no use complaining, I’ll never say “Die.”
Though the days of fast shearing for me have gone by.
I’ll just take the world nice and easy, shear slowly and clean
And I only have told you just what I have been.

CHORUS:

7) The Belle Of Broughton 03:47... (Eric Bogle)

When summer time is bloomin'
And the air's filled wi' perfumin'
I walk in time forgotten
Wi' my bonny Belle of Broughton

Chorus
And though now your hair is silver
And your beauty's gone forever
I hae no' forgotten
That you were the Belle of Broughton
End.......
Aye you are the Belle of Broughton

At harvest time or dancin'
The young bucks would come prancin'
In love they were besotten
By the Bonny Belle of Broughton

Oh, for you and I together
Would wander by the river
In the dress of silk and satin
You were the Belle of Broughton

8) A Pub With No Beer 02:26

It's lonesome away, from your kinfolk and all
Round the campfires at night
Where they wild dingo's call
But there's nothing so lonesome, so morbid or drear
Than to stand at the bar in a pub with no beer.

The publican's anxious for the wagon to come
There's a faraway look on the face of the bum
The maid's gone all cranky, the cook's actin queer
What a terrible sight. A pub with no beer.

The swaggie rides up with his dry dusty throat
He breasts up to the bar, pulls a wad from his coat
But the smile on his face quickly turns to a sneer
When the barman says, "Sorry, the pubs got no beer."

There's a dog on the veranda, for his master he waits
While his boss is inside, having "wine" with his mates
He scurries for cover, he cowers with fear
It's no place for a dog, round a pub with no beer.

Now Jimmy the barman, the first time in his life
He goes home cold sober, to his charming wife.
He walks into the kitchen, she says "You're early my dear."
He breaks down and cries, "The pub's got no beer."

It's lonesome away, from your kinfolk and all
Round the campfires at night
Where they wild dingo's call
But there's nothing so lonesome, so morbid or drear
Than to stand at the bar in a pub with no beer.

9) The Overlander 02:50

Now there’s a trade you all know well it’s bringing the cattle over
Listen mates and I’ll will tell how I became a drover
I wandered stock for Queensland to Kempsey I did wander
Joined a mob of duffers there, becomes an overlander.

Chorus
So pass the bottle round boys , don't you leave it stand there
For tonight we’ll drink the health of every overlander

When the cattle were counted and the outfit ready to start
The lads were all well mounted with their swags left in the cart
I saw I had all sorts of men from Germany France and Flanders
Doctors, lawyers, good and bad, in the mob of overlanders

The very next morning I fed up where the grass was green and young
And the squatter said he’d break my snout if I didn’t push along
Says I my lad you’re very hard but don't you raise my dander
For I’m a regular knowin card, I’m a Queensland overlander

They swore they'd impound my cattle, but I fooled them all the time
They very seldom caught us, they never got their fine.
They think we live on store beef, but I’m no flaming gander
If a fat little stray she comes our way, she'll lose to the overlander

Now I would never prig a shirt, as all me mates would say
But if I pass a township all on a washing day.
The dirty brats and kids would shout, and quickly raise my dander
Shouting ‘Mother dear, take in the clothes, here comes an overlander.

A little girl on Sydney side, she says don’t leave me lonely
Says I, "It’s sad, but my old prad, has room for one man only"
And now me lads we’re jogging back this pony he’s a goer
We’ll pick up a job with a crawling mob somewhere on the Maranoa.

10) Tie Me Kangaroo Down 03:28

INTRO: An old Australian stockman lay sighing, dying. He called his mates around his bedside, raised himself up onto one elbow, and with his dying breath said:

CHORUS:
Tie me kangaroo down, sport, tie me kangaroo down.
Tie me kangaroo down, sport, tie me kangaroo down.

Watch my platypus duck, Bill. Watch my platypus duck.
Don’’t let it go running amock, Bill. Watch my platypus duck.

Take my Koala back, Jack. Take my Koala back.
He lives somewhere on the track, Jack. Take my Koala back.

Play your didgeridoo, Lou. Play your didgeridoo.
Keep playing ‘till I pass through, Lou. Play your didgeridoo.

Keep your Cock-a-too cool, Curl, Keep you Cock-a-too cool.
Don't go playing the fool, Curl, Keep you Cock-a-too cool.

Tan my hide when I’m dead, Fred. Tan my hide when I’m dead.
So, we tanned his hide when he died, Clyde. That’s it hanging on the shed.

If you think sex is a fraud, Claude. If you think sex is a fraud.
Try it next time with a broad, Claude. If you think sex is a fraud.

11) The BushTelegraph 03:07

There's rumor of a gold strike to the south of Ballarat
And someone stole some cattle at the back of Carly's Flat
And there's been a fight in Dinny Ryan's Bar in Ararat
You heard it on the Bush Telegraph

Fat lambs brought a record price last week in Bendigo
Tommy Burker's been to Mass three Sunday's in a row
It used to take a family death or drought to make him go...
You heard it on the Bush Telegraph...

Chorus
We don't need no fancy wires to get the message through
Satellites or thing a ma jigs whizzing round the moon
Oh twenty feet of binder twine with a jam tin cut in half
It's pure Australian magic, the Bush Telegraph

Now Nora Reily's daughter when to Melbourne for a spell
After going out with Nicky Doyle it's prob'ly just as well.
Home's no place for a girl when her belly starts to swell
You heard it on the Bush Telegraph

Now Andy Reagan’s famous temper went off like a bomb
When he heard his only daughter Kate got married to a bum
His Siamese cat had kittens to a “Whatawa” Ginger Tom
You heard it on the Bush Telegraph

Chorus

Now Hanrahan, God bless his soul, his chooks are off the lay
He always reckoned they were good for 15 eggs a day
And mostly double yolkers, he’d give them all away
You heard it on the Bush Telegraph

Who fronted at the court today, the judge won’t let him drive
For clocking in at point 23 instead of point 05
20 beers in two hours flat, won’t keep a man alive
You’ll hear it on the Bush Telegraph

Chorus

You heard it on the Bush Telegraph
Yes, you’ll hear it on the Bush Telegraph

12) Morningtown Ride 03:01

Chorus:
Rocking, rolling, riding, out along the bay,
All bound for Morningtown, many miles away.

Train whistle blowing, makes a sleepy noise,
Underneath their blankets, go all the girls and boys.

Chorus:

Driver at the engine, fireman rings the bell,
Sand man swings the lantern, to show that all is well.

Chorus

Maybe, it is raining, where our train will ride;
All the little travelers, are warm and snug inside.

Chorus

Somewhere there is sunshine, somewhere there is day,
Somewhere there is Morningtown, many miles away....

Chorus

13) Bondi Beach 01:14

"Show me the way to go home" said the girl on Bondi beach.
"I had a small bikini about an hour ago" - It floated out of reach.
"Now all that I have on, is sand and sea and foam."
"So give me a page of the Morning Herald" and Show me the way to go home.

Yes, "Show me the way to go home" said the girl on Bondi beach.
"I had a small bikini about an hour ago" - It floated out of reach.
"Now all that I have on, is sand and sea and foam."
"So give me a page of the Morning Herald" and Show me the way to go home.

14) Botany Bay 02:22

I was on my way down to the quay, where the good ship Hildreth lay,
To command a band of Navvies there I was ordered to engage.
Of course I did stop in for a drink, before we sailed away.
For to take a trip on an immigrant ship to the shores of Botany Bay.

CHORUS:
So farewell to your bricks and mortar, farewell to you dirty lime.
Farewell to your gangers and your gang planks
and to Hell with your overtime.
For the good ship Ragamuffin she's a liein' at the quay
For to take old Pat with his shovel on his back to the shores of Botany Bay.

Now the best years of our lives were spent, a'working on the docks.
Building mighty walls and quays from earth and ballast rock.
And pensions keep our jobs secure but I shant rue the day
That I take a trip on an immigrant ship for the shores of Botany Bay.

Now the boss came up this morning, and he said. “Why Pat., Hello.
If you do not mix that mortar quick, to be sure you’ll have to go."
Of course he did insult me and I demanded all my pay
And I told him straight, I was going to immigrate, to the shores of Botany Bay.

And when I reach Australia, I'll go and search for gold
There’s plenty there for digging up, or so I have been told.
Or maybe I’ll go back to my trade, 800 bricks I’ll lay
In an eight hour shift, for an eight bob pay, on the shores of Botany Bay.

15) An Aussie BBQ 02:49

When the summer sun shines brightly, On Australia's happy land
Round countless fires in strange attire, You'll see many solemn bands
Of glum Australians watching, their lunch go up in flames.
By the smoke and the smell you can plainly tell
It's barby time again.

CHORUS
When the steaks are burning fiercely, And the smoke gets in your eyes
And the snags all taste like fried toothpaste
While your mouth is full of flies
It's a national institution, It's Australian through and through
So come on mates and grab your plates, Let's have a barbecue.

Now the Scots eat lots of hagis, the French love snails and frogs,
The Greeks go crackers over their Mouzaka & the Chinese love hotdogs.
A Welshman loves to have a leek, the Irish love their stew,
But nothing can beat that half-cooked meat of an Aussie Bar-b-Q.

There's flies stuck in the margarine, the bread has gone rock hard,
The kids are fighting, the mossy's are biting who forgot the Aeroguard.
There's bull ants in the Eski, and the beer is running out,
And what you saw in mum's coleslaw, we just don't talk about.

And when the barby's over, and your homeward way you wend
With a queasy tummy in the family dunny many lonely hours you'll spend.
You may start contemplating, as others often do,
Come rain or shine that's the bloody last time you'll have a Bar-b-Q.

16) Wooloomooloo 02:48

It was a cold and frosty morn, on the day that I was born
In that famous suburb known as Wooloomooloo.
It was down on Reiley street, where my folks first heard me bleat
‘Cause at the time, I’d nothing else to do.
Now me mother died of fright, when she saw me in the light
My father said he’d take me to the zoo.
But I owe a lot to him, for he taught me how to swim
When he threw me off the pier at Wooloomooloo.

CHORUS:
Now my name it is McCarty, and I’m a rorty party.
I’m as rough and tough as an old man kangaroo.
Some people say I’m crazy. I don’t work because I’m lazy.
& I tag along with the boozing throng, the push from Wooloomooloo.

Now when I was just a lad, I went straight away to the bad.
A larikin so hard, you’d strike me blue.
But the government was kind and they didn’t seem to mind
As in Darlinghurst I spent a night or two.
Well now the judge gave me a stare and he said, “Son, you’re a liar.”
He threw me into Darlinghurst goel you understand.
They gave me clothes, they cut my hair, I really didn’t care
‘Cause every night would find me in the van.

CHORUS:

Well I spent some time in goel, and then I began to quail.
I resolved to live upon a different lay.
So I enlisted in the ranks of the Salvation Army cranks
You can bet I made the bloody business pay.
Hallelujah! I’m a lout, I knows me way about.
I kid the mugs that I’ve converted, too.
All the lassies there I mash, and I’m never short of cash
‘Cause I beat the drum all over Wooloomooloo.

CHORUS:

17) The Redback Spider 02:34

There was a red back on the toilet seat when I was there last night
I didn’t see him in the dark but boy I felt him bite
I jumped high up into the sky and when I hit the ground
That crafty red backed spider wasn’t nowhere to be found

So I rushed in to the missus, told her just were I’d been bit
She grabbed a cut throat razor blade and I nearly took a fit
I said just forget what’s on your mind and call the doctor please
Cause I’ve got a feelin that your cure is worse than the disease.

Chorus
There was a red back on the toilet seat when I was there last night
I didn’t see him in the dark but boy I felt him bite
And now I’m stuck here in hospital, a sad and sorry plight
And I curse the red back spider on the toilet seat last night.

Now I can’t lay down and I can’t sit up and I don’t know what to do
And all the nurses think it’s funny, but that’s not my point of view
I tell you it’s embarrassing but that’s to say the least
That I’m to sick to eat a bite, while the spider had a feast.

And when I get back home again, I tell you what I’ll do
I’ll make that red back suffer for the pain I’m going through
I’ve had so many needles that I’m looking like a sieve
And I promise you that spider hasn’t very long to live.

18) Waltzing Matilda 02:37

Once a jolly swagman, camped beside a billabong
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree
And he sang as he watched and waited while his billy boiled
Who’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me?

CHORUS:
Waltzing Matilda, Matilda my darling,
Who’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.
Waltzing Matilda, and leading his water bag
Who’ll come a Waltzing Matilda with me?

Down came a jumbuck to drink at the billabong.
Up jumped the swagman and he grabbed it with glee.
And he sang as he stuffed that poor jumbuck in his tucker bag
You’ll come a waltzing Matilda with me.

CHORUS:

Down came the squatter mounted on his thoroughbred.
Up rode the troupers, one, two, three.
Where’s that jolly jumbuck that you’ve got in your tucker bag?
You’ll come a waltzing matilda with me.

CHORUS:

Then up jumped the swagman, he sprang into the billabong.
You’ll never take me alive cried he.
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong.
Who’ll come a waltzing Matilda with me.

CHORUS:

The End.......G'Day