Lachlan Tigers

Well at each gate each shearer stood as the whistle loudly blew
With eyebrows fixed and lips set tight and the tigers all fed too
You can hear the clicking of the shears as through the wool they glide
And see the ringer already turned and on the whipping side

A lot of Lachlan tigers it's plain to see they are
And the ringer goes on driving as he loudly calls for tar
Tar here you dozy loafer and quick the tar boy flies
Broom here and sweep those locks away another loudly cries

The scene it is a lively one and ought to be admired
There's never been a better board since Jacky Howe expired
Along the board the contractor walks his face all in a frown
And passing by the ringer he says my lad keep down

I mean to have those bellies off and topknots too likewise
My eye is quick so none of your tricks or from me you will fly
My curse on that contractor by flaming day and night
To shear a decent tally here in vain I've often tried

I have a pair of Ward and Paine's that are both bright and new
I'll rig them up and let you see what I can really do
For I've shore on the Bogan where they shear them by the score
But such a terror as this to clip I've never shore before

A lot of Lachlan tigers it's plain to see they are
And the ringer goes on driving as he loudly calls for tar
The scene it is a lively one and ought to be admired
There's never been a better board since Jacky Howe expired


From Dr Percy Jones's collection.

The Lachlan river runs through some of the best sheep raising areas of
western NSW. To this region came the tigers of the shearing trade, the big
gun shearers. This song pays tribute to their skill. Calling "tar" was not
something you shouted out too loudly, according to Duke Tritton. The tar
was to stop the bleeding when a sheep was cut while being shorn.
The same tune is used for 'The Station Cook' and 'The Great Northern Line'
one of Sally Sloane's songs. The tune is from the Scottish song
'Musselburgh Fair'.
From the singing of A.L.Lloyd. MG

MG
apr96