I don't know much about this song, except that a "cocky" is a farmer (in Australia) and the hero should have known what he was getting into. It was taught to me by my friend Ray Wales, now of Perth, Australia. (GB) Gordon Bok: 12-string and voice Ann Muir: 'Bokwhistle
Come all you weary travellers that's out of work, just mind,
And take a trip to Bungaree and plenty there you'll find.
Have a trial with the cockies, you can take it straight
from me,
You'll very likely rue the day that you first saw Bungaree.
And how I came this weary way I soon will let you know:
Being out of employment, I didn't know where to go,
So I went to the registry office, boys, and it's there
I did agree
To take a job at clearing for the cocky at Bungaree.
On a thirsty Monday morning, mates, it was the usual go:
He called me to me breakfast before the cock did crow.
The stars did shine most gloriously and the moon was high,
you see,
And I thought before the sun would rise I would die in
Bungaree.
Well, after about a week of that, I reckons I'd had
enough,
So I went straight up to the cocky's door and I asked him
for me stuff,*
And I went straight in to Bellallat, but it didn't last
me long;
I went straight in to the Railway Hotel and I blew me
one-pound-one.
-- repeat first verse
*pay