A Fond Farewell

I am the greatest puddle chaser that’s ever lived in Tas,
Because of the attitude and all the courage that I has,
There’s not a bunny rabbit nor a possum can outrun,
This demon of the speedsters when the race has fair begun,
I’ll find them in the mulga an’ in the scrub I’ll search,
So that none of them can ever my goodly name besmirch.

Kevin, who comes here with me is forever on the look,
To make sure I do not vanish into a scrubby nook,
But I am well ahead of him an’ he knows it to be true,
For if I were to scarper there’d be a flamin’ blue.
So I’ll do me level best to scare the things away,
And carry on a walkin’ as we do so every day.

The plan is woeful easy for a dog like me to know,
We rise at six and thirty an’ make ready for the go,
We’ll head off, perhaps in his little four-wheel drive,
Or track across the paddock when the sheep will take a dive,
To let us pass unhindered and them in peace to be,
While him and me with careful eye take in all we can see.

Sometimes we venture far afield o’er hills an’ valleys green,
Sometimes we visit places that the day before we have been,
But together we are travelling like mates so often do,
A ponderin’ on the world an’ solvin’ problems new,
We work at it while marchin’ him callin’ out to me,
‘Clancy boy, where are you now, come on oh can’t you see.

It’s time for heading back and you cannot hide like that,
It’s not the world you’re looking for it’s some silly wally’s scat.
Come on you pup, you renegade, you’re a devil on four legs,
Don’t have me chase in after you it’ll be the bleeding dregs.’
So out I come as nice as pie not wishin’ for a blue,
Nor have ‘im in an apoplexy, an’ then me day to rue.

We settle down and step sedate the way back that we came,
I’ve had me fun he’s had his walk it’s really just a game,
And other things of great import are waiting to be done,
There’s jobs a plenty at the homestead it’s time they were begun,
Some folks have come to say hello an’ brought with them a dog,
I can see we’ll make it fine me an’ him as solid as a log.

We’ll share the home but not me bed nor grub I’ll give to him,
I’m keen to please an’ welcome them you know I am not dim,
But the very greatest joy I have is when I see them leave,
With throwing stick I dance about a twirling an’ a heave,
Into the air and down again I catch it in me gob,
To help them on their way I’ve learned this handy job.

It works you know for soon they’re gone with smiles and waves galore,
Leavin’ me to do me work an’ tally up the score,
But now me days are shortening an’ grindin’ to a close,
I can see round one last bend the end is comin’ I suppose,
It’s been fine to share the joys and the love they gave to me,
With him and her we were a team a team you’d rarely see.

I’ll tell you this an’ listen well for I have a bit to say,
Me time with you has just been great in each an’ every way,
I’ve done more things than any dog an’ that’s the truth to tell,
I’ve done ‘em good I’ve done ‘em smart I’ve done ‘em bloody well,
And now I’m for a well earned rest to cool me heels I’d say,
So long, adieu, farewell dear mate I knows I’m on me way.

Don’t fret old chum it aint too bad this is the way it has to be,
We all come here an’ have to go there is no other way you see,
You know dear Kev, I’d be a burden if I had to hang around,
I’ll go real quiet I promise mate without a single sound.
So say goodbye an’ have a grin, go on smile for me ,please do,
‘Cause when it comes to be your turn, I’ll do the same for you.


From Clancy, for me best mate, Kevin.
Transcribed very carefully by Adrian. 30th July, 2011.

Back to work - hopefully

After such a long absence I think that our blog might have found a new lease of life - hopfully. I have been e-mailing Bill Guy in South Australia to see if he might have a go and deposit a few verses for our enjoyment. Other than that, if anyone else can muster the courage, interest or enthusiasm to throw in a poem or two, that would be appreciated.

I had thought that the Blog might have been discontinued by Google. Thankfully it was there when I sought to put on my effort for St Columba Day. Well that's it for now. I do look forward to seeing something new very soon.

Thank you everyone.

Adrian.

Ode to Saint Columba

We are here today to sing the praise
Of a daring Irishman who set his world ablaze
By sailing far from old Eire’s shore
To convert the pagans by the score

He took to the sea without much care
And with his mates did keenly dare
To forage in a new land where he wished to be
Spreading God’s blessing for all to see

But word of this great man’s new deeds
Without much effort him precedes
To far off lands where now he’s known
And where over time his fame has grown

Columcill he was called when just a boy
But changed his name in a cunning ploy
And as Columba he’ll be widely known
For that’s the name this priest does own

And in Tassie there’s a waterfall where you can go
That bears his name for all to know
So get you there and have a look
At the might work nature undertook

So every time you see this sight
Be it a gentle flow or in its might
Just think of that great Saint beyond
Who did not from his Scottish isle abscond

And sail across the world to view
Those falls, that have been named anew
For if he had, the truth be known
The Aborigines might have turned to stone

When they saw that man all dressed in green
As an Irish priest would have surely been
He’d call to them, in Gaelic broad
But he could not strike a willing cord

For they would know, he was here to stay
To spread the gospel each and every day
While in the waters that now bear his name
He’d wash them for the Christian game

And turn them from their own belief
And steal their culture like a thief
Before he would quietly slip away
To collect his sainthood as a worthy pay

Well now my story is at an end
Has it sent you round the flipping bend
But truth to tell, it’s easy just to say
Saint Columba’d wish you well this happy day