Mustering Song

By Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)

Ballad
         (Air: So Early in the Morning.)     The boss last night in the hut did say     We start to muster at break of day;     So be up first thing, and dont be slow;     Saddle your horses and off you go.                                  Chorus          So early in the morning, so early in the morning,          So early in the morning, before the break of day.     Such a night in the yard there never was seen     (The horses were fat and the grass was green);     Bursting of girths and slipping of packs     As the stockmen saddled the fastest hacks.          Chorus: So early in the morning, &c.     Across the plain we jog along     Over gully, swamp, and billabong;     We drop on a mob pretty lively, too     We round em up and give em a slue.          Chorus: So early in the morning, &c.     Now the scrub grows thick and the cattle are wild,     A regular caution to this ere child     A new chum man on an old chum horse,     Who sails through the scrub as a matter of course.          Chorus: So early in the morning, &c.     I was close up stuck in a rotten bog;     I got a buster jumping a log;     I found this scouting rather hot,     So I joined the niggers with the lot wed got.          Chorus: So early in the morning, &c.     A long-haired shepherd we chanced to meet     With a water bag, billy, and dog complete;     He came too close to a knocked up steer,     Who up a sapling made him clear.          Chorus: So early in the morning, &c.     Now on every side we faintly hear     The crack of the stockwhip drawing near;     To the camp the cattle soon converge,     As from the thick scrub they emerge.          Chorus: So early in the morning, &c.     We hastily comfort the inner man     With the warm contents of the billy can;     The beef and damper are passed about     Before we tackle the cutting out.          Chorus: So early in the morning, &c.     Were at it nowthat bally calf     Would surely make a sick man laugh;     The silly fool cant take a joke;     I hope some day in the drought hell croak.          Chorus: So early in the morning, &c.     Weve em nowthe cows and calves     (Things here are never done by halves);     Strangers, workers, and milkers, too,     Of scrubbers also not a few.          Chorus: So early in the morning, &c.     Its getting late, wed better push;     Tis a good long way across the bush,     And the mob to drive are middling hard;     I do not think well reach the yard.          Chorus: So early in the morning, &c.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem captures the rough and ready life of a cattle muster, replete with the ebb and flow of labor and camaraderie in the Australian outback. The dominant theme is the relentless rhythm of the musterer's life which is underscored by the repeated chorus, "So early in the morning, before the break of day." This repetition serves not only as a refrain but also as an echo of the relentlessness of the stockmen’s work.

The tone of the poem is light, almost jovial, despite the hardships depicted. The speaker recounts the various challenges faced - from dealing with uncooperative cattle to perilous terrain - in a matter-of-fact, and occasionally humorous, manner. This conveys a sense of stoic resilience and adaptability, key characteristics of the archetypal stockman. The structure is consistent, each stanza followed by the chorus, which creates a rhythmic, song-like quality, much like a traditional work song one might hear in such a setting. The poet uses colloquial language and local jargon, or Australian vernacular, which enhances the authenticity of the narrative and further immerses the reader in the stockmen's world. The use of concrete imagery and vivid descriptions serve as effective literary devices, painting a clear and engaging picture of the musterer's life.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.