AN AUSTRALIAN HUNTING SONG - 1867

 

Kangaroo hunting. No. 3, The death by S.T Gill in 1858. Picture: National Library of Australia

 

 

Here’s a little ditty from 1867 that reflects the settler fascination with shooting everything on sight. Not a great piece of literature, but an amusing sidelight on attitudes and also an indication that the bush ballad was nt the only way to write about the bush.

 

 

AN AUSTRALIAN HUNTING SONG.

[BY ONE WHO PADDLES HIS OWN CANOE.]

 

I've travelled about a bit In my time, of amusements I've seen a few.

But found all tame compared with the game of hunting the kangaroo.

Your wants are small, and you care not at all, so your dogs are but swift and true;

On your plg-skln across, you may shout till you're hoarse, as you follow the kangaroo.

 

If fond of sport of any sort, I'll try to prove to you

That there's no sort of fun can come up to a run

with an old-man kangaroo.

 

I like no strife, but enjoy this life as much as a man can do,

And don't think It wrong to spend all day long in chasing the kangaroo.

I lie down at dark, and ' rise with the lark,' and seek out a friend or two,

Who delight in the fun of a rattling good run with an old-man kangaroo.

 

Some talk of the Play, which is good in its way— that is, if it's something new,

But I think it folly, and not half so jolly, as hunting the kangaroo 

As on horse, with your dogs, over fences and logs, and swamps you go slushing through,

You care not for wet il you only can get a good run with a kangaroo.

 

If far from your home you should happen to roam, and your tucker is quite done, too ;

What need you desire but a good roasting fire, and steaks from a kangaroo?

For though hunted for pleasure, 'tis thought quite a treasure, by those who are fond of a stew,

And gourmands will stoop to a basin of soup from the tall of a kangaroo.

 

This parody's fair as far as it goes, but, better than that, 'tis true

That many men aim at less Innocent game than hunting the kangaroo.

And stories are told of those who have sold themselves and their fortunes too.

For the head of a woman— but give me the tail of a plump young kangaroo.

 

I'm fond of tales of any sort, but this is the tale that's true,

No tale you can tell will go down half so well as the tail of a kangaroo—

 

FOR SOUP.

 

 Hamilton Spectator and Grange District Advertiser (Vic. : 1860 - 1870)  Wed 17 Jul 1867  Page 3