Before We Were Married

Blacksoil plains were grey soil, grey soil in the drought. Fifteen years away, and five hundred miles out; Swag and bag and billy carried all our care Before we were married, and I wish that I were there. River banks were grassy, grassy in the bends, Running through the land where mateship never ends; We belled the lazy fishing lines and droned the time away Before we were married, and I wish it were to-day. Working down the telegraph, winters' gales and rains Cross the tumbled scenery of Marlborough 'plains', Beach and bluff and cook's tent, and the cook was a 'cow' Before we were married, but I wish that it was now. The rolling road to Melbourne, and grey-eyed girl in fur, One arm to a stanchion, and one round her; Seat abaft the skylight when the moon had set, Before she was married, and I wish it wasn't yet.