Union Songs

Lost In The Bush

A Poem by Melinda Kendall 1884

I'd left the camp, and lost my way,
'Mid tangled vines and ferns;
And puzzled was which way to take
From out the many turns;

When presently I saw some smoke
Through swamp oaks wreathing up,
And close beside me soon I heard
The yelping of a pup.

A forked stick, two sheets of bark,
A low, small fire in front,
And on the ground there sat a black,
He'd just returned from hunt.

And on the coals a sumptuous meal
A 'possum roasting whole
Among the ashes two corn cobs,
Which he that morning stole.

I told him I had lost my way,
Was weary, and footsore.
He pointed to a log, and then
Was silent as before.

I questioned him Why all alone?
Where piccaninny, gin?
He sullen looked, and then replied:
"White fellow bin take him.

"And he bin promise gib it me,
Clothes, blanket, and white bread,
Bacca, and rum, and budgery things;
Baal gib it though," he said.

"And many moons I've trabbled bin
With white man long a dray;
But now me going back to tribe;
Baal me now with him stay.

"Almost all gone, blackfellow, now;
Baal plenty kangaroo;
Whitefellow sit down everywhere,
Him take it all land, too."

He led me on, I'd wandered far,
For now 'twas almost night,
Then pointing to my camp, he turned,
And soon was lost to sight.

I thought 'tis late now to begin,
At this the eleventh hour,
Yet still a something might be done
By those who have the power,

For those once owners of the soil,
Neglected thus so long;
I would I had the poet's gift,
I'd plead their cause in song.

Notes

Published in Kiama Independent, March 28, 1884

Return to top of page

union songs..........a selection by mark gregory