“Jimmy Sago, Jackeroo”
Description
"If you want a situation and you'd like to know the plan To get on a station... Pack up the old portmanteau and label it Paroo, with a name that's aristocratic -- Jimmy Sago, Jackeroo." The song details how the "aristocratic" name can bring benefits
Notes
According to Patterson/Fahey/Seal, a Jackaroo was a young man working on a station to gain experience -- in effect, an apprentice. Naturally he was teased and held in low esteem.
The spelling is uncertain (Jackaroo/Jackeroo), as is the origin; Andrew and Nancy Learmonth _Encyclopedia of Australia_2nd edition, Warne & Co, 1973, article on "Jackeroo" (their spelling) says that the "origin is uncertain, most probably a coined Aus.-ouning word based on a 'Jacky Raw', but an Aboriginal origin is also claimed." It adds that a female parallel, "Jillaroo," dates from the twentieth century. - RBW
References
- Meredith/Anderson, pp. 130-131, "Jimmy Sago, Jackeroo" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Paterson/Fahey/Seal, pp. 114-115, "Jimmy Sago, Jackaroo" (1 text)
- Roud #8394
- BI, MA130