“One of the Has-Beens”

Description

"I'm one of the has-beens, a shearer I mean. I once was a ringer and I used to shear clean... But you may not believe me, for I can't do it now." The shearer recalls the greats he used to shear with, and remains determined to shear as long as he can

Supplemental text

One of the Has-Beens
  Complete text(s)

          *** A ***

As recorded by John Greenway on "Australian Folksongs and Ballads."
(Folkways FW 8718.) From the collection of A. L. Lloyd. Greenway's
sung text differs in several particulars from the text in the
Folkways booklet; these variants are noted below the text.

I'm one of the has-beens, a shearer, I mean;
I once was a ringer, I used to shear clean.
I could make the wool roll off like the soil from the plow,
But you may not believe it, because I can't do it now.
     For now I'm awkward as a new chum, I'm used to the frown
     That the boss often shows me, saying "Keep them blades down."

I've shore with Pat Hogan, Bill Bright, and Jack Gunn,
Charlie Fergus, Tommy Layton, and the great Roaring Dunn;
They brought from the Lachlan the best they could find,
But not one among them could leave me behind.
     But now I'm awkward as a new chum, I'm used to the frown
     That the boss often shows me, saying "Keep them blades down."

Well, there's no use complaining, I'll never say die,
Though the days of fast shearing for me have gone by;
I'll take the world easy, shear slowly and clean,
And I merely have told you just what I have been.
     For now I'm awkward as a new chum, I'm used to the frown
     That the boss often shows me, saying "Keep them blades down."

Variant Readings:
CHORUS: Booklet shows only one form of the chorus:
     I'm awkward as a new-chum, I'm used to the frown
     That the boss often shows me, saying "Keep them blades down."

3.1: there's no use: booklet "it's no use"

Recordings

• John Greenway, "One of the Has-Beens" (on JGreenway01)

References

1. Fahey-Eureka, pp. 156-157, "One of the Has-Beens" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Paterson/Fahey/Seal, pp. 194-195, "One of the Has-Beens" (1 text)
3. ST FaE156 (Full)
4. BI, FaE156