Thursday 16 June 2016

Mulga Bill's Bicycle

Today's poem is a something a little lighthearted for you. I came across this and very much enjoyed it so thought you might, too. :) Read the whole thing - you won't be disappointed! ;)


Mulga Bill's Bicycle

Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that caught the cycling craze; 
He turned away the good old horse that served him many days; 
He dressed himself in cycling clothes, resplendent to be seen; 
He hurried off to town and bought a shining new machine; 
And as he wheeled it through the door, with air of lordly pride, 
The grinning shop assistant said, "Excuse me, can you ride?" 

"See here, young man," said Mulga Bill, "from Walgett to the sea, 
From Conroy's Gap to Castlereagh, there's none can ride like me. 
I'm good all round at everything as everybody knows, 
Although I'm not the one to talk - I hate a man that blows. 
But riding is my special gift, my chiefest, sole delight; 
Just ask a wild duck can it swim, a wildcat can it fight. 
There's nothing clothed in hair or hide, or built of flesh or steel, 
There's nothing walks or jumps, or runs, on axle, hoof, or wheel, 
But what I'll sit, while hide will hold and girths and straps are tight: 
I'll ride this here two-wheeled concern right straight away at sight." 

'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that sought his own abode, 
That perched above Dead Man's Creek, beside the mountain road. 
He turned the cycle down the hill and mounted for the fray, 
But 'ere he'd gone a dozen yards it bolted clean away. 
It left the track, and through the trees, just like a silver steak, 
It whistled down the awful slope towards the Dead Man's Creek. 

It shaved a stump by half an inch, it dodged a big white-box: 
The very wallaroos in fright went scrambling up the rocks, 
The wombats hiding in their caves dug deeper underground, 
As Mulga Bill, as white as chalk, sat tight to every bound. 
It struck a stone and gave a spring that cleared a fallen tree, 
It raced beside a precipice as close as close could be; 
And then as Mulga Bill let out one last despairing shriek 
It made a leap of twenty feet into the Dean Man's Creek. 

'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that slowly swam ashore: 
He said, "I've had some narrer shaves and lively rides before; 
I've rode a wild bull round a yard to win a five-pound bet, 
But this was the most awful ride that I've encountered yet. 
I'll give that two-wheeled outlaw best; it's shaken all my nerve 
To feel it whistle through the air and plunge and buck and swerve. 
It's safe at rest in Dead Man's Creek, we'll leave it lying still; 
A horse's back is good enough henceforth for Mulga Bill."

The Sydney Mail, 25 July 1896.

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10 comments:

  1. That poem is really funny. At Tecorians two days ago we had two speakers, for there assignments, do that same poem. So I laughed when I saw it in my inbox.

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    1. Wow, that's really cool. That poem must be following you around.

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  2. I memorized that one years ago, and still remember it. It is fun, I really like Banjo Paterson poems.

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    1. That's pretty neat! I don't really know of many others. I'll have to look into some more of Banjo Paterson's poems. :)

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  3. Ahhh, I love this! Poems that rhyme and are cute are some of my favorites because they're often light and fluffy and funny. Thank you for sharing!

    // katie grace
    a writer's faith

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    1. Me too! :) Yep, there's definitely a place for fluffy poems. :P Have a lovely day, and thanks for stopping in, Katie Grace!

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  4. Yes, this is an old favourite! Mulga Bill really was a character. :)

    Also, I just found your blog, and I will be back - I enjoyed reading through your posts! It's also nice to come across someone else who lives on this side of the planet. :)

    God bless,
    Jessica

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    1. That's neat!
      Why, thank you, Jessica. You're sweet! :) Where do you hail from?
      *heading off to check out your blog*
      Have a fantastic day.

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    2. I'm from Australia, so we're neighbours, even though there's still ocean between us. :) Also, thanks heaps for following my blog!

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    3. That's cool! *waves excitedly from across the ditch*
      I'm looking forward to reading your posts.

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