THOSE BARCOO BABIES

[Maureen K Clifford]

THOSE BARCOO BABIES




The boys were Barcoo babies; all raised out on western lands,
all fished for yellow belly and danced to country bands.
They’d all used ‘Barcoo Dogs’ * in yards when mustering up sheep.
The four of them were handsome men who broke hearts every week.

But times they were a changing and storm clouds gathered dark
‘round men who thought to fight for King thinking ‘twould be a lark,
and being simple country kids they discussed over tea
their plans to travel round the world by joining the Navy.

It seemed that fate was on their side – and this fact did amaze
they were deployed together when their ship got underway.
They didn’t though escape too far from whence they’d all been bred,
embarking on the Barcoo, but this one a ship instead.

She was a river frigate birthed from out of Cockatoo
and history now shows this girl had lots of things to do.
She met up with the Gascoyne in the waters of Milne Bay
giving support with her big guns while small craft slipped away.

When they invaded Tarakan one still midsummer’s eve
the Barcoo sailed into the fray and was the last to leave.
Eight Oerlikons gave covering fire; the boys were in the stoush,
ducking the shrapnel splinters, in a quick evasive crouch.

Long years have passed the boys are old, the Barcoo has been scrapped
though when they meet up for a beer; in front of them is mapped
places to which their ship had sailed, ‘midst crump of shell, grenade,
and chatter of the Barcoo’s guns. They recalled roles they’d played.

As winter winds approach, finding them in retirement years
they’re still chasing elusive yellow belly - no more steers
or sheep for them, those days have passed and gone, far, far away.
The babes of Barcoo still together , older blokes today.



Maureen Clifford © 07/11 - re edited 02/13

* The Barcoo Dog is an improvised rattler - used to move sheep in the home paddock A simple ring of fencing wire with any small metal rubbish as rattlers. The rip off lids used on many canned foods is ideal as it already has a holed attachment to string the wire through - a few short bits of metal chain also add to the noise

[alongtimegone]

Another good yarn Maureen.I really enjoy reading your story poems.
Wazza