Songs of days gone by
by Alice McKiel

Here are a few songs Grandma used to sing while she knitted me a scarf or mittens
           

PUB WITH NO BEER

Chorus: It's lonesome away from your kindred and all
By the campfire at night, where the wild dingos call
But there's nothing so lonesome, so morbid or drear
As to stand at the bar of a pub with no beer

Old Billy, the blacksmith, first time in his life,
Has gone home cold sober to his darling wife.
Well, the cook's gone cranky, the maid's turning queer-
What a terrible place is a pup with no beer.

The stockman comes in with his dusty, dry throat,
Saunters up to the bar-pulls a wad from his coat
But the smile on his face quickly turns to a sneer,
When the barman says, "Sorry, this pup's got no beer