The Shearer’s Cook

Now, shearers’ cooks, as shearers know,
Are very seldom wont to blow;
But when I took to dabbing tar
And “picking-up” on Blaringar,
The cook, when “barbers” came at morn
To get a snack, would say, with scorn:
“Tea on the left,
Coffee on the right,
Brownie on the bunk, and blast yez!”

The “bunk” or slab was in the hut,
And on it “brownie” ready cut;
Two buckets o’er the fire would be –
One filled with coffee, one with tea;
And when the chaps came filing in
The cook would say, with mirthless grin:
“Tea on the left,
Coffee on the right,
Brownie on the bunk, and blast yez!”

Peculiar man, this shearers’ cook,
And had a very ugly look.
To me – a new-chum rouseabout,
Said he, one day when all were out:
“There’s nothing in this world, my lad,
That’s worth your worry, good or bad;
Grief on the left,
Sorrow on the right,
Trouble on the bunk, but blast it!”