ANDY'S GONE WITH CATTLE

Henry Lawson 1867-1922

Our Andy's gone to battle now 

'Gainst Drought, the red marauder; 

Our Andy's gone with cattle now 

Across the Queensland border. 

He's left us in dejection now; 

Our hearts with him are roving. 

It's dull on this selection now, 

Since Andy went a-droving. 

Who now shall wear the cheerful face 

In times when things are slackest? 

And who shall whistle round the place 

When Fortune frowns her blackest? 

Oh, who shall cheek the squatter now 

When he comes round us snarling? 

His tongue is growing hotter now 

Since Andy cross'd the Darling. 

The gates are out of order now, 

In storms the riders* rattle; 

For far across the border now 

Our Andy's gone with cattle. 

Poor Aunty's looking thin and white; 

And Uncle's cross with worry; 

And poor old Blucher howls all night 

Since Andy left Macquarie. 

Oh, may the showers in torrents fall, 

And all the tanks run over; 

And may the grass grow green and tall 

In pathways of the drover; 

And may good angels send the rain 

On desert stretches sandy; 

And when the summer comes again 

God grant 'twill bring us Andy.

* Riders - pieces of timber used to hold down the bark roofs of primitive bush houses.

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