Henry Lawson

Andy's Gone With Cattle

Our Andy's gone to battle now
'Gainst Drought, the red marauder;
Our Andy's gone with cattle now
Across the Queensland border.

He's left us in dejection now; Our
hearts with him are roving. It's dull
on this selection now, Since Andy went
a-droving.

Who now shall wear the cheerful face
In times when things are slackest? And
who shall whistle round the place When
Fortune frowns her blackest?

Oh, who shall cheek the squatter now
When he comes round us snarling? His
tongue is growing hotter now Since
Andy cross'd the Darling.

The gates are out of order now, In
storms the `riders' rattle; For far
across the border now Our Andy's gone
with cattle.

Poor Aunty's looking thin and white;
And Uncle's cross with worry; And poor
old Blucher howls all night Since Andy
left Macquarie.

Oh, may the showers in torrents fall,
And all the tanks run over; And may
the grass grow green and tall In
pathways of the drover;

And may good angels send the rain On
desert stretches sandy; And when the
summer comes again God grant 'twill
bring us Andy.