While The Billy BoilsSearchFrom Crow’s Nest here by Sydney townWhere crows had nests of oldI see the Range where day goes down—The dim blue in the gold.And sometimes wonder, half in doubt,Has there been so much changeAs pictured in the prints aboutThe Bush beyond the Range.
There’s motor car and all the “frills”But none of my old mates—The Bush seems run by Buff’lo BillsAnd Hayseeds from the States.I miss the homesteads and the scrub,The stock and fences too,The horse and swagmen and the pub.That Minns and Mahoney drew.
I miss the drivers, diggers, sheep,And—lots of things—Ah, well!I wonder if the Kellys keepThe Carrier’s Camp Hotel—If that still stands by hill and plainAs old man Kelly’s pride—Or if he did pull round againWhen Mary Kelly died?
And Andy Kelly took to drink,And Barney took a horse(And two years’ hard without a blink)And each one took his course.And what became of Andy Mack,Tom Browne, and Pat “O’Brine”?It must be twenty seasons backSince last I had a line.
I wonder if—but I forgetAnd wonder like a fool,Is Bertha Lambert teaching yetA wretched, half-time school?I hope—ah! how the memories come,To bother and defer,I only hope my boyhood’s chum,Fred Spencer, married her.
I wonder if the farms we hadAre scrub or ploughed ground now?A fence by Harry Dare or “Dad”Would last it, anyhow.I wonder if the cemet’ry,Fenced in by Dad and Dare,Is lonely as it used to beWhen they were buried there.
I wonder, and the more it seemsSo far away and strange,For I have lost, except in dreams,The Bush beyond the Range.I wonder too, in fear and shame,Do they, like me, forget—I wonder if they mind the nameOf “Henry Lawson” yet.