’Twas merry when the hut was full <br />Of jolly girls and fellows. <br />We danced and sang until we burst <br />The concertina’s bellows. <br />From distant Darling to the sea, <br />From the Downs to Riverina, <br />Has e’er a gum in all the west <br />Not heard the concertina? <br /> <br />’Twas peaceful round the campfire blaze, <br />The long white branches o’er us; <br />We’d play the tunes of bygone days, <br />To some good old bush chorus. <br />Old Erin’s harp may sweeter be, <br />The Scottish pipes blow keener; <br />But sing an old bush song for me <br />To the good old concertina. <br /> <br />’Twas cosy by the hut-fire bright <br />When the pint pot passed between us; <br />We drowned the voice of the stormy night <br />With the good old concertina’s. <br />Though trouble drifts along the years, <br />And the pangs of care grow keener, <br />My heart is gladdened when it hears <br />That good old concertina.<br /><br />Henry Lawson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-good-old-concertina/
