Rio Grandes Last Race, Etc. | Page 3

according to metre, and the continuation is indented two spaces. Also,?some obvious errors, after being confirmed against other sources, have been corrected.]
[This etext has been transcribed from the original 1902 Sydney edition.]
Rio Grande's Last Race and Other Verses
by A. B. Paterson
The verses in this collection have appeared in papers in various parts of the world -- "Rio Grande" in London; most of the war verses in Bloemfontein; others in Sydney.
1. B. Paterson.
Contents
Rio Grande's Last Race?Now this was what Macpherson told
By the Grey Gulf-water?Far to the Northward there lies a land,
With the Cattle?The drought is down on field and flock,
The First Surveyor?`The opening of the railway line! -- the Governor and all!
Mulga Bill's Bicycle?'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that caught the cycling craze;
The Pearl Diver?Kanzo Makame, the diver, sturdy and small Japanee,
The City of Dreadful Thirst?The stranger came from Narromine and made his little joke --
Saltbush Bill's Gamecock?'Twas Saltbush Bill, with his travelling sheep, was making his way to town;
Hay and Hell and Booligal?`You come and see me, boys,' he said;
A Walgett Episode?The sun strikes down with a blinding glare,
Father Riley's Horse?'Twas the horse thief, Andy Regan, that was hunted like a dog
The Scotch Engineer?With eyes that searched in the dark,
Song of the Future?'Tis strange that in a land so strong,
Anthony Considine?Out in the wastes of the West countrie,
Song of the Artesian Water?Now the stock have started dying, for the Lord has sent a drought;
A Disqualified Jockey's Story?You see, the thing was this way -- there was me,
The Road to Gundagai?The mountain road goes up and down,
Saltbush Bill's Second Fight?The news came down on the Castlereagh, and went to the world at large,
Hard Luck?I left the course, and by my side
Song of the Federation?As the nations sat together, grimly waiting --
The Old Australian Ways?The London lights are far abeam
The Ballad of the `Calliope'?By the far Samoan shore,
Do They Know?Do they know? At the turn to the straight
The Passing of Gundagai?`I'll introdooce a friend!' he said,
The Wargeilah Handicap?Wargeilah town is very small,
Any Other Time?All of us play our very best game --
The Last Trump?`You led the trump,' the old man said
Tar and Feathers?Oh! the circus swooped down
It's Grand?It's grand to be a squatter
Out of Sight?They held a polo meeting at a little country town,
The Road to Old Man's Town?The fields of youth are filled with flowers,
The Old Timer's Steeplechase?The sheep were shorn and the wool went down
In the Stable?What! You don't like him; well, maybe -- we all have our fancies, of course:
"He Giveth His Beloved Sleep"?The long day passes with its load of sorrow:
Driver Smith?'Twas Driver Smith of Battery A was anxious to see a fight;
There's Another Blessed Horse Fell Down?When you're lying in your hammock, sleeping soft and sleeping sound,
On the Trek?Oh, the weary, weary journey on the trek, day after day,
The Last Parade?With never a sound of trumpet,
With French to Kimberley?The Boers were down on Kimberley with siege and Maxim gun;
Johnny Boer?Men fight all shapes and sizes as the racing horses run,
What Have the Cavalry Done?What have the cavalry done?
Right in the Front of the Army?`Where 'ave you been this week or more,
That V.C.?'Twas in the days of front attack,
Fed Up?I ain't a timid man at all, I'm just as brave as most,
Jock!?There's a soldier that's been doing of his share
Santa Claus?Halt! Who goes there? The sentry's call
Rio Grande's Last Race and Other Verses
Rio Grande's Last Race
Now this was what Macpherson told?While waiting in the stand;?A reckless rider, over-bold,?The only man with hands to hold?The rushing Rio Grande.
He said, `This day I bid good-bye?To bit and bridle rein,?To ditches deep and fences high,?For I have dreamed a dream, and I?Shall never ride again.
`I dreamt last night I rode this race?That I to-day must ride,?And cant'ring down to take my place?I saw full many an old friend's face?Come stealing to my side.
`Dead men on horses long since dead,?They clustered on the track;?The champions of the days long fled,?They moved around with noiseless tread --?Bay, chestnut, brown, and black.
`And one man on a big grey steed?Rode up and waved his hand;?Said he, "We help a friend in need,?And we have come to give a lead?To you and Rio Grande.
`"For you must give the field the slip,?So never draw the rein,?But keep him moving with the whip,?And if he falter -- set your lip?And rouse him up again.
`"But when you reach the big stone wall,?Put down your bridle hand?And let him sail -- he cannot fall --?But don't you interfere at all;?You trust old Rio Grande."
`We started, and in front we showed,?The big horse running free:?Right fearlessly and game he strode,?And by my side those dead men rode?Whom no one else could see.
`As silently as flies a bird,?They rode on either hand;?At every fence I plainly heard?The phantom leader give the word,?"Make room for Rio Grande!"
`I spurred him on to get the lead,?I