The Swagman

Kind friends, pray give attention         To this, my little song.     Some rum things I will mention,         And Ill not detain you long.     Up and down this country         I travel, dont you see,     Im a swagman on the wallaby,         Oh! dont you pity me.     Im a swagman on the wallaby,         Oh! dont you pity me.     At first I started shearing,         And I bought a pair of shears.     On my first sheep appearing,         Why, I cut off both its ears.     Then I nearly skinned the brute,         As clean as clean could he.     So I was kicked out of the shed,         Oh! dont you pity me, &c.     I started station loafing,         Short stages and took my ease;     So all day long till sundown         Id camp beneath the trees.     Then Id walk up to the station,         The manager to see.     Boss, Im hard up and I want a job,         Oh! dont you pity me, &c.     Says the overseer: Go to the hut.         In the morning Ill tell you     If Ive any work about         I can find for you to do.     But at breakfast I cuts off enough         For dinner, dont you see.     And then my name is Walker.         Oh! dont you pity me.     Im a swagman, &c.     And now, my friends, Ill say good-bye,         For I must go and camp.     For if the Sergeant sees me         He may take me for a tramp;     But if theres any covey here         Whats got a cheque, dye see,     Ill stop and help him smash it.         Oh! dont you pity me.     Im a swagman on the wallaby,         Oh! dont you pity me.