30 Build me a Hut

(Unknown, re-discovered and published by Russell Ward) Then give me a hut in my own native land, Or a tent in the bush with the mountains so grand; With the girl of my heart contented I’ll be, With a dear little native girl to share it with me. In the gladness of springtime the song-birds give voice, The trees and the herbage with flowers rejoice, Kangaroos and emus bound o’er the emerald plain, And the jackass’ mirth bursts forth again and again. When winter winds whistle and blast the sweet flowers How happy and cheerful we’ll then pass the hours With mirth and sweet music, as all will agree, In happy Australia, the land of the free. How pleasant to ride where the summer does stray, And the wild native dog cries aloud for its prey Where the paddymelon and the wallaby and the wombat so rare Are found in the bush with the wild native bear. How pleasant to ride at the dawn of the day, And chase the wild horse o’er the hills far away, He snorts and he prances aloud in his glee Until he’s run down by a rider like me. Then build me a hut in my own native land, Far back in the bush with the mountains so grand. ’Mid the scenes of Port Jackson contented I’ll be, With the dear native girl that would share it with me.