ACROSS THE WESTERN PLAINS


Chorus:
          D                   G            D
Well It's ah! for my grog, my jolly, jolly grog,
                         A
It's ah! for my beer and tobacco,
       D                       G               D
Well I spent all my tin in the shanty drinking gin,
                       A                D
Now across the western plains I must wander.



          D                                G              D
Well, I'm stiff and stony broke since I've parted with my moke,
                                        A
And the sky is looking black as flamin' thunder,
        D                             G             D
And the boss of the shanty too, for I haven't got a sou-
                              A                     D
That's the way you're treated when you're out and under.


Chorus


I'm crook in the head, for I haven't been to bed
Since first I touched this shanty with my plunder,
I see centipedes and snakes, and I'm full of aches and shakes,
So I'd better make a push out over yonder.

Chorus


I take the Old Man Plain, criss-cross it all again,
Until my eyes the track no longer see,
My beer and brandy brain seeks balmy sleep in vain,
I feel as if I had the Darling Pea.

Chorus


Repentance brings reproof, so I sadly 'pad the hoof',
All day I see the mirage of the trees,
But it all will have an end when I reach the river bend,
And I'll listen to the sighing of the breeze.

Chorus


Then hang the jolly prog, the hocussed shanty grog,
The beer that's loaded with tobacco.
Grafting humour I am in, and I'll stick the peg right in,
And settle down once more down to some Hard Yakka.

Chorus