GETTING WED

[Maureen K Clifford]

GETTING WED

Maureen Clifford © 5/10

“I'm marrying a broad” he said, then laughed, “well I'm not gay
so I guess it stands to reason that I'd wed a girl one day.”
His eyes lit up with merriment he wore an inane grin,
one could tell just by looking that the love bug had struck him.

“I met her in Biloela, I'm on a ranch working there Mate.
Saw her in the pub while waiting for the Friday T Bone plate.
She struck me like a pickaxe, Mate it was a mortal blow
and I asked her to the weekly dance. Well how was I to know
that she was the one chosen by fate to be my little bride?
The one I always wanted to spend her days at my side.
I'm here to ask you Mate if the best man you would be
on my wedding day. I'd like it if you would stand up with me.

Well I told him I'd be happy to be there upon the day
and I thought it time that some Aussie words he began to say.
Like - he might be marrying a broad, but out here she's a sheila,
and he wasn't on a ranch but a station at Biloela.
The Pub served real good tucker though it wasn't always fare
and people only called him Blue 'cause he had bright red hair.
When at the pub if someone said ‘Hey Mate ain’t it your shout?’
It just meant he bought the next round, no need to yell and dance about.

And he’d need to have a Bucks night and no we ain't shooting deer.
“Gee you folks in Orstraaylia do things different over here”
“Well that's as maybe Blue ”I answered “but you don’t want to appear flawed
you'd best learn the countries lingo if you're marrying abroad.”

[Neville Briggs]

My grandfather was an American, he spoke very softly with what seemed a thick Yankee accent. And from over 20 years working in rural Australia, he had learned how to use all the Australian country lingo.
I had great trouble trying to understand his speech. ( I was a city kid )

[Kym]

So who was the chick from Biloela Maureen? I might know 'er ...