The mountain road goes up and down <br />From Gundagai to Tumut Town <br />And, branching off, there runs a track <br />Across the foothills grim and black, <br /> <br />Across the plains and ranges grey <br />To Sydney city far away. <br /> <br />It came by chance one day that I <br />From Tumut rode to Gundagai, <br /> <br />And reached about the evening tide <br />The crossing where the roads divide; <br /> <br />And, waiting at the crossing place, <br />I saw a maiden fair of face, <br /> <br />With eyes of deepest violet blue, <br />And cheeks to match the rose in hue -- <br /> <br />The fairest maids Australia knows <br />Are bred among the mountain snows. <br /> <br />Then, fearing I might go astray, <br />I asked if she could show the way. <br /> <br />Her voice might well a man bewitch -- <br />Its tones so supple, deep, and rich. <br /> <br />"The tracks are clear," she made reply, <br />"And this goes down to Sydney Town, <br />And that one goes to Gundagai." <br /> <br />Then slowly, looking coyly back, <br />She went along the Sydney track <br /> <br />And I for one was well content <br />To go the road the lady went; <br /> <br />But round the turn a swain she met -- <br />The kiss she gave him haunts me yet! <br /> <br />I turned and travelled with a sigh <br />The lonely road to Gundagai.<br /><br />Andrew Barton Paterson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-road-to-gundagai/
