The Bushranger Ballad (Buster’s Song)
© 2021 - Jon Davis
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”