warren fahey

CLARRIE PETERS
Austinmer
Recorded 26 April 1973

Kinden's Occupation

We all have our little troubles and some others trouble's worse
But Kinden's little trouble, it's a trouble, it's a curse
It's about those wild bush cattle that inhabit hereabout
And stern would be the battle to get the blighters out
So it isn't any wonder that the manager, Ted Revert, shakes his head
And views the coming future with horror and with dread
I've rode in brigalow scrubs I've ridden in bolar
But no man can ride yonder where those wild bush cattle are
Then up spoke the dashing rider of the district, Herbie Kane
He said "I tried to wheel them once but never will again"
But don't get down-hearted Teddie, don't let your heart grow sore
There's one more man can land them, that man is Stevie Moore
And Stevie said "I'll get them Ted. I'll get them Ted, or die
And on this old horse Blue burn there's nothing I can't tie
And if I'm not able to get those scrubbers in
May the good and kind Miss Kable kill me with a rolling pin
May the old and game horse Blueburn break his neck in yonder sand
And the younger lad more daring win the sweet Miss Kable's hand
But in Stevie's heart was lurking a feeling of despair
As he built a secret stockyard those cattle to ensnare
He'd written for his brother- a bruise up bloke called jack
No other man he reckoned could follow on his track
Now Mary's heart was breaking as she bade her Steve goodbye
She knew it was no use crying, her Stevie would do or die

They made a start on Sunday and as they started Stevie said
If we're not back by Monday you'll know that we are dead
But in Stevie's heart was lurking a feeling of despair
As he built a secret stockyard, those cattle to ensnare.
They started first the cattle way out on Bully Creek
Stevie said "get ready Jack and don't attempt to speak"
Then said Steve "I heard them coming and I flattened on the grade
I wheeled them on the point of the brigalow but they went the other way
Since then he's never seen them but he still believes they're there
On Kinden's occupation lease amongst the prickly pear
He knows he'll never get them now so does brother Jack
So he wrote a note to Mary simply saying 'not coming back'