Chorus

Tramp, tramp, tramp across the borders,

The swagmen are rolling up, I see.

When the shearing’s at an end we’ll go fishing in a bend.

Then hurrah! for the Wallaby Brigade.

When you are leaving camp, you must ask some brother tramp

If there are any jobs to be had,

Or what sort of a shop that station is to stop

For a member of the Wallaby Brigade.

Chorus: Tramp, tramp, tramp, &c.

You ask me if they want men, you ask for rations then,

If they don’t stump up a warning should be made;

To teach them better sense—why, “Set fire to their fence”

Is the war cry of the Wallaby Brigade.

Chorus: Tramp, tramp, tramp, &c.

The squatters thought us done when they fenced in all their

run,

But a prettier mistake they never made;

You’ve only to sport your dover and knock a monkey over—

There’s cheap mutton for the Wallaby Brigade.

Chorus: Tramp, tramp, tramp, &c.

Now when the shearing’s in our harvest will begin,

Our swags for a spell down will be laid;

But when our cheques are drank we will join the Tag-rag

rank,

Limeburners in the Wallaby Brigade.

Chorus: Tramp, tramp, tramp, &c.

To knock a monkey over is to kill a sheep, monkey being

slang for sheep in many parts of the bush.