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At His Gate Each Shearer Stood (Lachlan Tigers)

by Stomp Dog

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about

The Lachlan river runs through some of the best sheep raising areas of western NSW. To this region came the tigers of the shearing trade, the big gun shearers. This song pays tribute to their skill. Calling "tar" was not something you shouted out too loudly, according to Duke Tritton. The tar was to stop the bleeding when a sheep was cut while being shorn. The same tune is used for 'The Station Cook' and 'The Great Northern Line' one of Sally Sloane's songs. The tune is from the Scottish song 'Musselburgh Fair'.

lyrics

Well at each gate each shearer stood as the whistle loudly blew
With eyebrows fixed and lips set tight and the tigers all fed too
You can hear the clicking of the shears as through the wool they glide
And see the ringer already turned and on the whipping side

A lot of Lachlan tigers it's plain to see they are
And the ringer goes on driving as he loudly calls for tar
Tar here you dozy loafer and quick the tar boy flies
Broom here and sweep those locks away another loudly cries

The scene it is a lively one and ought to be admired
There's never been a better board since Jacky Howe expired
Along the board the contractor walks his face all in a frown
And passing by the ringer he says my lad keep down

I mean to have those bellies off and topknots too likewise
My eye is quick so none of your tricks or from me you will fly
My curse on that contractor by flaming day and night
To shear a decent tally here in vain I've often tried

I have a pair of Ward and Payne's that are both bright and new
I'll rig them up and let you see what I can really do
For I've shore on the Bogan where they shear them by the score
But such a terror as this to clip I've never shore before

A lot of Lachlan tigers it's plain to see they are
And the ringer goes on driving as he loudly calls for tar
The scene it is a lively one and ought to be admired
There's never been a better board since Jacky Howe expired

credits

released April 15, 2012
Matthew McKenzie - Guitar & Vocals
Louise Nicholas - Bass & Vocals
Peter O'Shea - Fiddle
Chris "Lucky Pillows" Taylor - Banjo

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Matthew McKenzie

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all rights reserved

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Stomp Dog Melbourne, Australia

Stomp Dog have been playing live in and around Melbourne for just over two years, but in that time have attracted a loyal fan base with their well arranged array of original material, traditional Australian bush songs, old time American tunes and Appalachian folk. ... more

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