Glenrowan Pub Poem by John Mackinnon

Glenrowan Pub 24/1/15

I met a shearer at a bar
Who chatted for awhile,
Of Western Districts work ahead
And how he's travelled miles,
In finding all the work he's done
For well on forty years,
From Augethella Station
To the holdings very near.
'The only thing a shearer needs,
He said with half a grin
Is a strong back and a weak brain
To bring the money in.
And when the shearing's running low
I've travelled far and wide
As jockey on a truck or two
Supporting kids and wife.
And sometimes when the shearing's good
I'll take 'the cook' along
She roustabouts and works as cook
Wherever we have gone.
I've got four kids,
Two boys, two girls,
Who love the country life
One boy's in Augethella still,
The one that has a wife.
The other, he's in Charters Towers
And shearing like his Dad,
The girls have both got married
And 'youngies' drive them mad.
Now the sheep are disappearing,
And the shearers even more,
So I can still stay busy,
And keep my same old score.
Six hundred sheep in just four days
Is what we like to try,
If the back holds up I reckon
I'll be shearing till I die.
I don't blame young kids for leaving
For it's just not like before
And factories are easy work
To keep from being poor.

'I see you're drinking Carlton,
I'm a Four X man myself,
I guess old habits linger,
Well here's to both our health!
I just dropped in as always
To have my two quick pots
I hope you have a nice weekend
I hope you like this spot.'

Two strangers meet briefly at a bar
And each is welcomed in,
A weathered pommy accent
And a shearers friendly grin.