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Brisbane Ladies (Augathella Station)

from To Lawsons Joy by Steve Towson and the Kunkala Station Band

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about

Brisbane Ladies (alternatively titled "Augathella Station") is one of the more popular Australian ballads. The legendary folklorist and music collector Ron Edwards researched and published a book dedicated to this song (ramsskullpress.com/products-page/folklore/brisbane-ladies/). Lyrics are attributed to Saul Mendelsohn, a Jewish jackeroo who became a storekeeper in Nanango, Queensland (jewishhistoryaustralia.net/jha/). Saul's son, Oscar, later became a musicologist with particular interest in the song, "Waltzing Matilda" (adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mendelsohn-oscar-adolf-11107).

lyrics

Farewell and adieu to you Brisbane Ladies,
Farewell and adieu, you girls of Toowong.
For we've sold all our cattle and it's northwards we travel,
But we hope we will see you again before long.

Chorus: And we'll rant and we'll roar like true Queensland drovers,
Rant and we'll roar as onwards we push,
Until we return to the Augathella Station,
It's flaming dry going through the old Queensland bush.

Oh, the first camp we make is down by the river.
We'll off with our swags and we'll lay the place flat.
We'll bed down the herd and before the sun rises
We'll move them again and we'll cross the Blackbutt.

[CHORUS]

So mount up your horses, let's ride into town, boys.
We'll stop at the pub and we'll drink the place dry.
We'll spend all our money on shanty-town women,
And before the sun rises, away we will ride.

[CHORUS]

The girls are so pretty; they look so enchanting,
Bewitching and graceful, they join in the fun,
Of a waltz and a polka and all types of dancing
To the old concertina of Jack Smith the Don.

[CHORUS]

So fill up your glasses, let's drink to our lasses,
Let's sing the last chorus, shout farewell to all.
And if you return to the Augathella Station,
Why, don't you drop by here and pay us a call.

[CHORUS]

credits

from To Lawsons Joy, released January 26, 2014
Engineered by Bryce Moorhead.
Produced by Bryce Moorhead and Steve Towson.
The Kunkala Station Band are Steve Towson (lead vocals, guitar, drums and more), Les Buschel (guitar, backing vocals), Luke Mysliwy (violin, backing vocals), Kimbeaux Dawson (flute), Mitch Humphrys (double bass, guitar, backing vocals), Ness Glenn (cello, backing vocals).
Profile photo by Staples. Banner art by TB (Mr. T + MC.T + WHO).
Track image courtesy of State Library of Queensland.

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Steve Towson Rosewood, Australia

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