We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
/
  • Digital Track
    Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 AUD  or more

    You own this

     

about

A song in which a pub-going shearer finally finds a drink that is strong enough. This version was collected by A.L. Lloyd from Old Dad Adams of Cowra, NSW, and re-printed by Warren Fahey, but in other versions the shearer may be named "Billy Brink" (Fahey, W., 1984, "Eureka - the songs that made Australia", Omnibus Press, Sydney).

lyrics

There once was a shearer, by name Bluey Brink,
A devil for work and a devil for drink.
He could shear his two hundred a day without fear,
And drink without winking four gallons of beer.

Now Jimmy the barman, who served out the drink,
He hated the sight of this here Bluey Brink.
Who stayed much too late and who came much too soon;
At morning, at evening, at night and at noon.

One morning when Jimmy was cleaning the bar
With sulphuric acid he kept in a jar,
Along came Old Bluey bawling with thirst,
“Whatever you've got, Jim, just hand me the first.”

Now, it ain't put in history, and it ain't down in print,
But Bluey drank acid with never a wink,
Saying, “That's the stuff, Jimmy, why, strike me stone dead,
This'll make me the ringer of Stevenson's shed.”

Now all the next day, as he served out the beer,
Poor Jimmy was sick with his trouble and fear.
Too worried to argue, too anxious to fight,
Seeing the shearer a corpse in the night.

But early next morning as he opened the door,
And along came old Bluey howling for more;
With his eyebrows all singed and his whiskers deranged
And holes in his hide like a dog with the mange.

Says Jimmy, “And how did you like the new stuff?”
Says Bluey, “It's fine but I ain't had enough.
It gave me great courage to shear and to fight,
But why does that stuff set me whiskers alight?”

“Well, I thought I knew drink, but I must have been wrong,
For that stuff you gave me was proper and strong.
It set me to coughing, and you know I'm no liar
But every damn cough sets me whiskers on fire.”

credits

from To Lawsons Joy, released January 26, 2014
Engineered by Bryce Moorhead.
Produced by Bryce Moorhead and Steve Towson.
Vocals and guitar by Steve Towson.
Profile photo by Staples. Banner art by TB (Mr. T + MC.T + WHO).

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Steve Towson Rosewood, Australia

contact / help

Contact Steve Towson

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account