Whalin' up the Lachlan

I've eaten bitter bread

In sweat wrung from my brow;

And earth-bent, hunger-gripped

Scarred hands on axe and plough.

Now, when the sun is shining,

With swag slung on my back,

I laugh at soured selectors

When I pass down the track.

Whalin' up the Lachlan

By the waters grey,

Whalin' up the Lachlan

All a summer's day,

We'll drop a line to tickle

The black fish and the cod,

Whalin' up the Lachlan

Beside a lazy rod.

Some choose to crack the greenhide,

And some to sow and reap,

And some to pink with B-bows

A-shearin' greasy sheep.

But some there are, sundowners,

Who take the easy way,

Nor think of lean to-morrow

If they fare fat to-day.

Whalin' up the Lachlan,

Done with axe and plough,

Whalin' up the Lachlan,

The billy's boilin' now.

We'll fill our pipes, an' yarn there,

And watch the world roll by,

Whalin' up the Lachlan

Under a starry sky.