While The Billy BoilsSearchWhen first I landed here,I was struck quite with surprise,For everything was precious dear,And rents quite high, no flies.And rents, &c.
I knew not what to do,For it made me look quite blue,When I got on Sandridge pier, my boys,Affairs seemed awful queer, my boys!And I dropped many a tear, my boys!When first I landed here.
When first I landed here,Everything appeared quite strange;And when you purchased at the shops,You seldom got your change.You seldom got, &c.
Shopkeepers then gave cheek,But they’re now servile and meek;Most civilly they invite, my boys,You at their goods to take a sight, my boys,They’re a great deal mere polite, my boys,Than when I landed here.
When first I landed here,Lots of chaps, no matter who,In business without funds would start,And their creditors would do.And their creditors would do.
They went a-head slap dash;But they’ve made an awful smash.And fellows of this sort, my boys,Go through th’ Insolvent Court, my boys,And their dog-carts they can’t sport, my boys,Like when I landed here.
When first I landed here,Folks rushed to Bendigo;And went and pitched in Eagle Hawk,Where lobs were made you know.Where lobs; &c.
But those days are now gone by;Getting rich is all my eye;The Chinese swarm around, my boys,Puddling every bit of ground, my boys,And the nuggets are not found, my boys,Like when I landed here.
When first I landed here,A tidy sum you’d pay,If you wanted any one to takeYour boxes on a dray.Your boxes on a dray.
But the draymen are done brown;Busses run now in the town;For threepence you can ride, my boys!On the knifeboard or inside, my boys!But no conveyances plied, my boys,When first I landed here.
When first I landed here,Folks rushed to purchase land,No matter if ’twas but a swamp,They went hand over hand.They went, &c.
But a lesson lots have learnt,For their fingers they have burnt;And each roguish auctioneer, my boys,Finds his trade get worse each year, my boys,Champagne won’t draw, ’tis clear, my boys,Like when first I landed here.
When first I landed here,Gals were few and far between;Rich diggers took ’em as they came,But now they’re not so green.But now, &c.
Missis Chisholm’s lot is thick,We now can take our pick;There’s all sorts, dark and fair, my boys,Down from black to carroty hair, my boys,But they were uncommon rare, my boys,When first I landed here.