COME WITH ME MATILDA WE'LL GO WALTZING

[Maureen K Clifford]

COME WITH ME MATILDA WE'LL GO WALTZING

The old shearing shed was sagging, and the roof was red with rust,
and the yards were bare and stony, sparse grass covered in fine dust
and beneath, the old red belly curled upon a bearer worn
for the old shed now stood empty, as all the sheep were shorn.
But a gathering was happening, of people not of sheep
for the wool shed had the best board floor, springy and complete,
and a bar was set up out side where it backed onto the race
whilst in the corner was the string band , where the fiddle set the pace.

Come Matilda, let me waltz you round once more.
Dance with me Matilda, you're the girl that I adore
and I love to hold you close to me, I'd like to evermore.
So Matilda.... won't you come a waltzing?

The night was hot, the breeze was warm, the beer was icy cold.
The fiddle player gave his all..his very heart and soul.
Two banjo players, both young blades, kept up with every note
and the bloke on accordion, called out the steps by rote.
“Now take your partners Gentlemen, lets see those ladies swing.
Step to the middle, take a bow, now make these old boards ring
and twirl your partner, twirl your girl, now waltz her round the floor.
Gentlemen bow , pass her along, now lets do it once more.”

Come Matilda, let me waltz you round once more.
Dance with me Matilda, you're the girl that I adore
and I love to hold you close to me, I'd like to evermore.
So Matilda......won't you come a waltzing?

Both young and old it mattered not, were all out on the floor,
and those who couldn't sat and watched, and clapped and cheered for more.
The young blokes gathered at the bar, all scrubbed up looking neat,
all watched as Jack twirled Mary round, and swung her off her feet.
The noise and laughter echoed out from 'neath the rusty roof.
All tables laden with good food for those good on the tooth.
The local ladies all had bought a plate along to share.
Delicious, fresh, nutritious home made and grown country fare.

Come Matilda, let me waltz you round once more.
Dance with me Matilda, you're the girl that I adore
and I love to hold you close to me, I'd like to evermore.
So Matilda......won't you come a waltzing?

The ladies sipped on Lemonade, the fellows supped their ale
young babes lay nestled in fine wool that hadn't yet been baled.
The children raced around the yards kicking up red dust,
while from the paddocks Merivale ewes looked on with distrust .
They'd played 'The Wild Colonial Boy' and played 'Click go the Shears'
and 'Danny Boy' and 'Take me Home Kathleen' rung in their ears.
As the night drew to a close they played the song all loved to hear
they played 'Waltzing Matilda' and he whispered in her ear.

Come Matilda, let me waltz you round once more
Please Matilda, you're the girl that I adore.
If you marry me I'll hold you in my arms for evermore,
so Matilda.... won't you come a waltzing?

So Matilda come with me and we'll go waltzing.

Maureen Clifford ©

[Terry]

G/day Maureen nice poem.
I've been to a couple of 'End of The Shed' shearing shed do's out on remote stations, there was a fair bit of boozing from memory but not a lot of waltzing, although I remember one where a couple of young station hands wrecked a motorbike, the rotten cocky sacked them both.

Cheers Terry

[Maureen K Clifford]

Agree that I have never seen any waltzing at cut out parties either Terry - I had more in mind the Shearing Shed Socials that are held occasionally around the ridges . Every 2nd year at Stanthorpe they hold an Art in the Woolshed (the other year is the Apple and Grape Festival) last years was at 'Bendee' just down the road from my old home in Springdale Road. Different Woolshed every time and a great way to spend the Queens Birthday weekend in June. Next one will be in 2012

http://granitebeltwinecountry.blogspot. ... lshed.html

http://www.artinthewoolshed.com.au/AITW/About.html

[Terry]

Hi again Maureen
I knew what you meant.
They have the same over here from time to time, I've never been to one of those myself but believe they are very popular.

Terry

[Heather]

You set a delightful scene Maureen. Lovely.

Heather