The Old Bark Hut
By Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)
Oh, my name is Bob the Swagman, before you all I stand,
And Ive had many ups and downs while travelling through the land.
I once was well-to-do, my boys, but now I am stumped up,
And Im forced to go on rations in an old bark hut.
Chorus
In an old bark hut.In an old bark hut.
Im forced to go on rations in an old bark hut.
Ten pounds of flour, ten pounds of beef, some sugar and some tea,
Thats all they give to a hungry man, until the Seventh Day.
If you dont be moighty sparing, youll go with a hungry gut
For thats one of the great misfortunes in an old bark hut.
Chorus
In an old bark hut. In an old bark hut.
For thats one of the great misfortunes in an old bark hut.
The bucket you boil your beef in has to carry water, too,
And theyll say youre getting mighty flash if you should ask for two.
Ive a billy, and a pint pot, and a broken-handled cup,
And they all adorn the table in the old bark hut.
Chorus
In an old bark hut. In an old bark hut.
And they all adorn the table in the old bark hut.
Faith, the table is not made of wood, as many you have seen
For if I had one half so good, Id think myself serene
Tis only an old sheet of barkGod knows when it was cut
It was blown from off the rafters of the old bark hut.
Chorus
In an old bark hut. In an old bark hut.
It was blown from off the rafters of the old bark hut.
And of furniture, theres no such thing, twas never in the place,
Except the stool I sit uponand thats an old gin case.
It does us for a safe as well, but you must keep it shut,
Or the flies would make it canter round the old hark hut.
Chorus
In an old bark hut.In an old bark hut.
Or the flies would make it canter round the old bark hut.
If you should leave it open, and the flies should find your meat,
Theyll scarcely leave a single piece thats fit for man to eat.
But you mustnt curse, nor grumblewhat wont fatten will fill up
For whats out of sight is out of mind in an old bark hut.
Chorus
In an old bark hut. In an old bark hut.
For whats out of sight is out of mind in an old bark hut.
In the summer time, when the weathers warm, this hut is nice and cool,
And youll find the gentle breezes blowing in through every hole.
You can leave the old door open, or you can leave it shut,
Theres no fear of suffocation in the old bark hut.
Chorus
In an old bark hut. In an old bark hut.
Theres no fear of suffocation in the old bark hut.
In the winter timepreserve us allto live in theres a treat
Especially when its raining hard, and blowing wind and sleet.
The rain comes down the chimney, and your meat is black with soot
Thats a substitute for pepper in an old bark hut.
Chorus
In an old bark hut. In an old bark hut.
Thats a substitute for pepper in an old bark hut.
Ive seen the rain come in this hut just like a perfect flood,
Especially through that great big hole where once the table stood.
Theres not a blessed spot, me boys, where you could lay your nut,
But the rain is sure to find you in the old bark hut.
Chorus
In an old bark hut. In an old bark hut.
But the rain is sure to find you in the old bark hut.
So beside the fire I make me bed, and there I lay me down,
And think myself as happy as the king that wears a crown.
But as youd be dozing off to sleep a flea will wake you up,
Which makes you curse the vermin in the old bark hut.
Chorus
In an old bark hut. In an old bark hut.
Which makes you curse the vermin in the old bark hut.
Faith, such flocks of fleas you never saw, they are so plump and fat,
And if you make a grab at one, hell spit just like a cat.
Last night they got my pack of cards, and were fighting for the cut
I thought the devil had me in the old bark hut.
Chorus
In an old bark hut. In an old bark hut.
I thought the devil had me in the old bark hut.
So now, my friends, Ive sung my song, and that as well as I could,
And I hope the ladies present wont think my language rude,
And all ye younger people, in the days when you grow up,
Remember Bob the Swagman, and the old bark hut.
Chorus
In an old bark hut. In an old bark hut.
Remember Bob the Swagman, and the old bark hut.