[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in A Book for Kids, 1921.]
Cuppacumalonga
“Rover, rover, cattle-drover, where go you to-day?”
I go to Cuppacumalonga, fifty miles away;
Over plains where Summer rains have sung a song of glee,
Over hills where laughing rills go seeking for the sea,
I go to Cuppacumalonga, to my brother Bill.
Then come along, ah, come along!
Ah, come to Cuppacumalonga!
Come to Cuppacumalonga Hill!
“Rover, rover, cattle-drover, how do you get there?”
For twenty miles I amble on upon my pony mare,
The walk awhile and talk awhile to country men I know,
Then up to ride a mile beside a team that travels slow,
And last to Cuppacumalonga, riding with a will.
Then come along, ah, come along!
Ah, come to Cuppacumalonga!
Come to Cuppacumalonga Hill!
“Rover, rover, cattle-drover, what do you do then?”
I camp beneath a kurrajong with three good cattle-men;
Then off away at break of day, with strong hands on the reins,
To laugh and sing while mustering the cattle on the plains —
For up to Cuppacumalonga life is jolly still.
Then come along, ah, come along!
Ah, come to Cuppacumalonga!
Come to Cuppacumalonga Hill!
“Rover, rover, cattle-drover, how may I go too?”
I’ll saddle up my creamy colt and he shall carry you —
My creamy colt who will not bolt, who does not shy nor kick —
We’ll pack the load and take the road and travel very quick.
And if the day brings work or play we’ll meet it with a will.
So Hi for Cuppacumalonga!
Come along, ah, come along!
Ah, come to Cuppacumalonga Hill!
Source:
C. J. Dennis. A Book for Kids, Angus & Robertson, Sydney, [1921], pages 15-17
Leave a Reply