Andy's Gone with the Cattle

by Henry Lawson

　　'Gainst Drought, the red marauder;

　　Our Andy's gone with cattle now

　　Across the Queensland border.

　　He's left us in dejection now,

　　Our thoughts 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 crossed 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.