Part 1

Produced by A. Light, and David M. Medinets

RIO GRANDE'S LAST RACE AND OTHER VERSES

by A. B. Paterson

Original 1902 Sydney edition

The verses in this collection have appeared in papers in various parts of the world--"Rio Grande" in London; most of the war verses in Bloemfontein; others in Sydney.

A. B. Paterson.

Contents with First Lines:

Rio Grande's Last Race Now this was what Macpherson told

By the Grey Gulf-water Far to the Northward there lies a land,

With the Cattle The drought is down on field and flock,

The First Surveyor 'The opening of the railway line! -- the Governor and all!

Mulga Bill's Bicycle 'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that caught the cycling craze;

The Pearl Diver Kanzo Makame, the diver, sturdy and small Japanee,

The City of Dreadful Thirst The stranger came from Narromine and made his little joke --

Saltbush Bill's Gamecock 'Twas Saltbush Bill, with his travelling sheep, was making his way to town;

Hay and Hell and Booligal 'You come and see me, boys,' he said;

A Walgett Episode The sun strikes down with a blinding glare,

Father Riley's Horse 'Twas the horse thief, Andy Regan, that was hunted like a dog

The Scotch Engineer With eyes that searched in the dark,

Song of the Future 'Tis strange that in a land so strong,

Anthony Considine Out in the wastes of the West countrie,

Song of the Artesian Water Now the stock have started dying, for the Lord has sent a drought;

A Disqualified Jockey's Story You see, the thing was this way -- there was me,

The Road to Gundagai The mountain road goes up and down,

Saltbush Bill's Second Fight The news came down on the Castlereagh, and went to the world at large,

Hard Luck I left the course, and by my side

Song of the Federation As the nations sat together, grimly waiting --

The Old Australian Ways The London lights are far abeam