Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Wednesday 3 March 1852, page 3


SONGS FROM THE DIGGINGS!

Air - "Oh !what a row," &c.

Oh ! what a row, what a rumpus, and a rioting

We all endure, you may be sure, who live up

here -

For the "Diggings" is a place that you never can

get quiet in,

From tipsy brawls, and pistol balls, both far

and near,

Dogs biting - men fighting - hitting hard and wal-

loping ;

Then on Sunday, that for one day is the time for

galloping-

Bullock teams go by in streams, 'mong carts and

horses smashing

As down they pour in many a score, with golden

earth for washing

And they make such a row, such a rumpus and a

rioting

We must eudure, you may be sure, who live up

here.

With spade and pick through thin and thick, the

surface they uncover,

Unmindful of the labour, or the sun's fierce

rays ;

Deeper diving, each is striving, nuggets to dis-

cover -

Until at last, in clay stuck fast, they meet their

gaze !

Then the watching-shooting-catching 'Fossickers'

so villainous,

Who drink and fight, and then at night by robbery

live well on us -

Or, round our tent with ill intent, at midnight they

are sneaking ;

But soon they beat a quick retreat, when they hear

the pistols clicking.

So it's always a row, &c.

Now and then a shift of scene disturbs our grave

monotony -

When armed police come in a trlce to seize sly

grog ;

What poking turning, breaking, burning, swearing

In words hot and high

And every one must see the fun, and all is

agog !

Men with kegs take to their legs and shin away up

gullies

While staggering off, 'mid jeer and scoff come forth

the drunken bullies:

Then flames ascend, and there's an end to tent, and

grog and crockery

And so concludes the interlude, "Death of the sly

grog rookery!"

And such are the rows, and the rumpuses, and

riotings

We must endure, you may be sure, who live up

here. A. R.

Friar's Creek Diggings,

February, 1852,