The Bushranger Ballad (Buster's Song)

The Bushranger Ballad (Buster’s Song)

SPOKEN… I took a sheila camping on the Murray

She dragged her passion-killer along … she was a single mum

He was a wide-eyed, 5-year old and he certainly wasn’t mine

But it was his first time in the bush so I decided to have some fun…

SUNG… At brekky we lit a fire and swirled up some billy tea

But I had to keep an eye on what he did

“Get away from the river ya little mongrel -

There’s a bunyip there and he’s looking for kids”

CHORUS

Ya spin a little yarn around the campfire;

Tell ‘em exactly what they need to hear

At bedtime tell ‘em, “To keep the bushrangers away,

Just leave out some money and a beer”

That summer was a scorcher but the gum trees gave as shade

While he ran around in the nuddie without a care

He wouldn’t keep his clothes on; not even a bloody hat

That is until he learned about Drop Bears

CHORUS

Ya spin a little yarn around the campfire;

Tell ‘em exactly what they need to hear

At bedtime tell ‘em, “To keep the bushrangers away,

Just leave out some money and a beer”

BRIDGE

That was 30 years ago and his mum has disappeared

But the little brat and I have stayed in in touch

He still rings me at Christmas and every Father’s Day

… I didn’t think he liked me all that much

Now Buster’s taking his own little daughter camping

And she’ll sleep in the tent without any fear

A wise old man once taught him that to keep the bushrangers away

Before bed just leave out some money and a beer

CHORUS

Ya spin a little yarn around the campfire;

Tell ‘em exactly what they need to hear

At bedtime tell ‘em, “To keep the bushrangers away,

Just leave out some money and a beer”

Jon Davis