The Swagman

Kind friends, pray give attention To this, my little song. Some rum things I will mention, And I'll not detain you long. Up and down this country I travel, don't you see, I'm a swagman on the wallaby, Oh! don't you pity me. I'm a swagman on the wallaby, Oh! don't 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! don't you pity me, &c. I started station loafing, Short stages and took my ease; So all day long till sundown I'd camp beneath the trees. Then I'd walk up to the station, The manager to see. "Boss, I'm hard up and I want a job, Oh! don't you pity me," &c. Says the overseer: "Go to the hut. Says the overseer: "Go to the hut. In the morning I'll tell you If I've any work about I can find for you to do." But at breakfast I cuts off enough For dinner, don't you see. And then my name is Walker. Oh! don't you pity me. I'm a swagman, &c. And now, my friends, I'll say good-bye, For I must go and camp. For if the Sergeant sees me He may take me for a tramp; But if there's any covey here What's got a cheque, d'ye see, I'll stop and help him smash it. Oh! don't you pity me. I'm a swagman on the wallaby, Oh! don't you pity me.