The Aged Stockman
These words were originally written by the poet Jim Grahame who was a mate of Henry Lawson and they both spent many days tramping through the outback experiencing the harshness and the beauty of the Bush. I spent time working on a sheep and cattle station so I am now becoming a fully qualified AGED stockman and so wrote the tune for these expressive words. Martyn
The Aged Stockman words Jim Grahame. Tune M. Wyndham-Read.
On the Darling and the Castlereagh when I was in me prime
As stockman on the cattle run I spent most of me time
I had whips of strength and energy and didn’t want for pluck
And always my delight to ride a stock horse that could buck.
I was all there in the cattle yard could yard up draft and spey
And I could swing the head rope and the drafting stick all day
I used to scruff the clean skins I was handy in the pen
I could use the knife and leg rope with the other cattle men.
I could hold me own upon the camp or mustering on the run
I had horses I could saddle up and ride from sun to sun
I could yard the wildest pikers and could cut out against time
And I could make me stock whip ring when I was in me prime.
Now me good old dogs and horses too they all have gone to rest
Those dear good old dumb favourites I surely had the best
Now me head is growing snowy white the years are rolling on
And I often sigh for those days gone by
Those merry days long gone.