What the Overseer Told Me.
124
Why! 'when I first broke the bay filly—and she was a nice cup of tea—
No one dared mount her but Billy, by jove! 'twas a caution to see!
The men crowded up after shearing and sat in a circle around
And watched the mare wildly careering and bet on how soon he'd be downed,
But there he sat on, his eyes flashing, his thick woolly hair all on end,
And she, in a fury, was lashing her heels about, you may depend.
She might just as well have aspired to shake off her mane or her skin!
And so she caved in, mighty tired, and Billy continued to grin.
He was up to some mischief for ever, and brimful of lying and tricks,
And though he was handy and clever, he got fewer ha'pence than kicks.
He'd yard up the sheep like a collie, and shear with the best of the men,
But unless he'd a mind to, 'twas folly to think you could force him to then,
No one dared mount her but Billy, by jove! 'twas a caution to see!
The men crowded up after shearing and sat in a circle around
And watched the mare wildly careering and bet on how soon he'd be downed,
But there he sat on, his eyes flashing, his thick woolly hair all on end,
And she, in a fury, was lashing her heels about, you may depend.
She might just as well have aspired to shake off her mane or her skin!
And so she caved in, mighty tired, and Billy continued to grin.
He was up to some mischief for ever, and brimful of lying and tricks,
And though he was handy and clever, he got fewer ha'pence than kicks.
He'd yard up the sheep like a collie, and shear with the best of the men,
But unless he'd a mind to, 'twas folly to think you could force him to then,
