The Sheep-washers' Lament Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABABACDE FGEHICDE JKLKMCDE NOPOBCDE QRSRTCDE UBVBWCDE XYZYA2CDE B2C2B2C2B2CWC

Come now ye sighing washers allA
Join in my doleful layB
Mourn for the times none can recallA
With hearts to grief a preyB
We'll mourn the washer's sad downfallA
In our regretful strainC
Lamenting on the days gone byD
Ne'er to return againE
-
When first I went a washing sheepF
The year was sixty oneG
The master was a worker thenE
The servant was a manH
But now the squatters puffed with prideI
They treat us with disdainC
Lament the days that are gone byD
Ne'er to return againE
-
From sixty one to sixty sixJ
The bushman stout and strongK
Would smoke his pipe and whistle his tuneL
And sing his cheerful songK
As wanton as the kangarooM
That bounds across the plainC
Lament the days that are gone byD
Ne'er to return againE
-
Supplies of food unstinted goodN
No squatter did withholdO
With plenty grog to cheer our heartsP
We feared nor heat nor coldO
With six and six per man per dayB
We sought not to complainC
Lament the days that are gone byD
Ne'er to return againE
-
With perfect health a mine of wealthQ
Our days seemed short and sweetR
On pleasure bent our evenings spentS
Enjoyment was completeR
But now we toil from morn till nightT
Though much against the grainC
Lamenting on the days gone byD
Ne'er to return againE
-
I once could boast two noble steedsU
To bear me on my wayB
My good revolver in my beltV
I never knew dismayB
But lonely now I hump my drumW
In sunshine and in rainC
Lamenting on the days gone byD
Ne'er to return againE
-
A worthy cheque I always earnedX
And spent it like a lordY
My dress a prince's form would graceZ
And spells I could affordY
But now in tattered rags arrayedA2
My limbs they ache with painC
Lamenting on the days gone byD
Ne'er to return againE
-
May bushmen all in unityB2
Combine with heart and handC2
May cursed cringing povertyB2
Be banished from the landC2
In Queensland may prosperityB2
In regal glory reignC
And washers in the time to comeW
Their vanished rights regainC

Banjo Paterson



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