Source:INDUSTRIAL SOLIDARITY
Melbourne July 1919 No 7
SITE SOURCE: SYDNEY FOLKLORE - SECTION 2: Labour History
Threshing Machine
(Ta ra ra boom de ay)
I had a job once threshing wheat,
Worked sixteen hours with hands and feet,
And when the moon was shining bright,
They kept me working all the night.
One moonlight night, I hate to tell,
I accidentally slipped and fell,
My pitchfork went right in between
Some cogwheels of the threshing machine.
Taraharh boomdeay, it made a noise that way,
And wheels and bolts and hay
Went flying every way
That stingy Rube said: “A thousand gone to shite”
But I did sleep that night –
I needed it all right!
Next day that stingy Rube did say
“I'll take my eggs to town today,
You can grease my wagon up,
And also promptly screw that nut”.
I greased his wagon all right – but
I plumb forgot to screw that nut,
And when he started on that trip.
Poor Rube slipped off and broke his hip.
Taraharh boomdeay, it made a noise that way,
That Rube was sure a sight,
And mad enough to fight,
His whiskers and his legs,
Were full of scrambled eggs.
I told him “That's too bad.
I'm feeling very sad.”
And then that farmer said: “You Turk!
I bet you are an I Won't Work
He paid me off right there, by gum,
So I went out and told my chum
Next day when threshing did commence.
My chum was 'Johnny on the fence'
And 'pon my word that awkward kid,
He dropped his pitchfork like I did.
Taraharh boomdeay, it made a noise that way,
And part of that machine
Hit Ruben on the bean,
He cried: “Oh me, Oh my!
I nearly lost my eye.”
My partner said: “you're right;
It's bedtime now 0 good night!”
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