When first I left Old England's shore,
Such yarns as we were told,
As how folks in Australia
Could pick up lumps of gold.
So, when we got to Melbourne town,
We were ready soon to slip
And get even with the captain -
All hands scuttled from the ship.
With my swag on my shoulder,
black billy in my hand,
I traveled the bush of Australia
like a true born native man.
We steered our course for Geelong town,
Then north-west to Ballarat,
Where some of us got mighty thin,
And some got sleek and fat.
Some tried their luck at Bendigo,
And some at Fiery Creek;
I made a fortune in a day
And spent it in a week.
With my swag on my shoulder,
black billy in my hand,
I traveled the bush of Australia
like a true born native man.
For many years I wandered round,
As each new rush broke out,
And always had of gold a pound,
Till alluvial petered out.
'Twas then we took the bush to cruise,
Glad to get a bite to eat;
The squatters treated us so well
We made a regular beat.
With my swag on my shoulder,
black billy in my hand,
I traveled the bush of Australia
like a true born native man.
So round the "lighthouse" now I tramp,
Nor leave it out of sight;
I take it on my left shoulder,
And then upon my right,
And then I take it on my back,
And oft upon it lie.
It is the best of tucker tracks,
So I'll stay here till I die.
With my swag on my shoulder,
black billy in my hand,
I traveled the bush of Australia
like a true born native man.
