Homework for w/e 18.07.11 BARCOO BABIES

[Maureen K Clifford]

BARCOO BABIES


The four boys were Barcoo babies, all had grown up on the land
and had fished for yellow belly and danced to a country band.
All had used a ‘Barcoo Dog’ in yards when mustering up sheep.
Each was handsome and good looking and made young Barcoo girls weep.

But the times they were a changing and the storm clouds gathered dark
they were old enough to fight for King and thought ‘twould be a lark.
Because they were all country kids they thought that they might be
able to travel all the world if they joined the Navy.

Well it seems that fate was on their side – and this fact did amaze
they were all deployed together when their ship got underway.
They didn’t though escape to far from whence they’d all been bred,
they embarked upon the Barcoo – the grey iron ship instead.

She was just a river frigate birthed from out of Cockatoo
and her history will show this girl had lots of things to do.
She met up with the Gascoyne in the waters of Milne Bay
where she gave support with her big guns while small craft slipped away.

When they invaded Tarakan one still midsummer’s eve
the Barcoo sailed into the fray and was the last to leave.
Eight Oerlikons gave covering fire; the boys were in the stoush.
Flying shrapnel splinters, caused a quick evasive crouch.

Long years have passed the boys are old, the Barcoo has been scrapped
though sometimes they meet for a beer; in front of them is mapped
the places that they sailed to. Each hears crump of shell, grenade,
the chatter of the Barcoo’s guns. Relives the roles each played.

And now as winter winds approach – in their retirement years
they still go chasing yellow belly - no more chasing steers
or sheep for them, those days have passed and gone, far, far away.
But the Barcoo babies still remain – they’re older blokes today.

Maureen Clifford © 07/11