“The Lachlan Tigers”

Description

The shearers wait eagerly for the shift to begin: "At his gate each shearer stood as the whistle loudly blew...." The expert shearers set out to be the fastest, while the boss tries to make sure they shear the sheep completely.

Notes

The region along the Lachlan river is one of Australia's best sheep-raising areas. Naturally, it attracted the best shearers, who came to be known as the "Lachlan Tigers."

Jackie Howe holds the all-time (and probably unsurpassable) record of 328 sheep sheared in an eight hour day; hence the remark in the song "There's never been a better board since Jackie Howe expired." - RBW

Recordings

• A. L. Lloyd, "Lachlan Tigers" (on Lloyd4, Lloyd8)

References

1. Fahey-Eureka, pp. 136-137, "The Lachlan Tigers" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Paterson/Fahey/Seal, pp. 178-180, "At the Gate Each Shearer Stood" (1 text)
3. DT, LCHLNTIG*
4. BI, FaE136