ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

THE SHOWGROUND BOXING SHOW

Look at all the gladiators flaunting in a row;
brawny bodies, black or white, in shiny silky robes.
Bang abang abang the drum,
everyone come in.
Champions are discovered at the showground boxing show.

Who is game to have a go in Sharman's boxing ring;
fight the showground champion for ten pounds if you can win.
Bang abang abang the drum,
anyone come in.
Here's a fella who is game ! Get on the gloves and swing.

Face the champ on springy toes, a dodge, a swing, a clout.
Cheers and shouts the crowd get out to urge the skinny bloke.
Bang abang abang the drum,
come and see what's on.
Jimmy's champ is still the champ, he's knocked the light-weight out.

Ten pounds won't be coming, 'cause the champ has laid him low.
Bruises, aches and swollen lips are all the prize he's found.
Bang abang abang the drum,
through this way, come in !
Who's the next game goer for Jim Sharman's boxing show.

Good one Neville. I really like that.

Heather

Thanks for the reply Heather. It's an old one that I have revisited and tried to revitalise. Don't know whether I have suceeded

Yes, all the old timers have a story or two about Sharman's tents - what a great travelling Aussie institution it was. Good onya Nev.

Cheers, Marty

Very good Neville and will bring a few memories to the surface - I remember these tents when I was a kid at the local shows and how fascinating these young blokes were dancing around on stage in their satin shorts - some were very cute. And the drum just added to the excitement - be still my beating heart

Thanks for the replies Marty and Marty . I have never been much interested in boxing, I had a bit of a go when I was young and someone donged me on the nose and I rapidly lost interest ( I know..sook ).

Recently, I saw an old photo of the boxers standing on the platform outside of Sharman's tents ( I'll see if I can find it again) It took me back to a time when I went into the tent at the show and saw a young skinny bloke from the crowd, jump in to have a go at a couple of rounds. He lost, well and truly.

Jim Sharman was an institution Marty, as you say. The old Jim Sharman died not long ago I think. His son is into another sort of showbiz; theatre and music extravaganzas and the like, even opera.

Goodness Martyboy, in 1974 my son was about to go to primary school.

Behave Maureen.
Instead of fantasizing about young men in satin shorts, you should be noticing how I have used alliteration and assonance to build up the otherwise thin rhyming scheme.

Neville Briggs wrote: The old Jim Sharman died not long ago I think. His son is into another sort of showbiz; theatre and music extravaganzas and the like, even opera.

Yes, Neville you are right. Jim Sharman Jnr was the driving creative force behind The Rocky Horror Picture Show - saw him on Talking Heads (ABC with Peter Thompson) some time ago and amazing the parallels of how his upbringing travelling with the rough and tumble boxing troupes saw him enter the vaudevillean life of stage and theatre. Great story!

A good one Neville I missed the start of that forum but enjoyed your Poem Good on you.

bill the old battler

Thanks for that Bill.