New Zealand Minstrelsy [electronic resource]

A BUSHRANGING.

Tune—“Come o’er the stream, Charlie.”

Let’s go a bushranging, thou fairest of lassies;
Let’s go a bushranging, and visit each scene,
Whose beauties unchanging which nought e’er surpasses,
While clad in their mantles of gay evergreen.

The morning delights us, all nature invites us,
To taste her enjoyments wherever we rove;
Then, come, let us wander where streamlets meander,
Or through the dark forest, or pine shady grove.

Chorus—Let’s go a bushranging, &c.

The wild sons of nature, though warlike in feature,
Shall smile thee a welcome, appearing serene;
While strains of the tui, whose sweetness will woo thee,
Shall render enchantments enliv’ning each scene.

Let’s go a bushranging, &c.

Lo! see yon bush clearing, its aspect how cheering!
Where Industry toils, and fresh gardens do grow;
The axe still resounding, hard labour abounding,
While bushmen exult o’er the forest laid low.

Let’s go a bushranging, &c.

Britannia may glory, repeating the story,
Of sons ever hardy, extending her sway;
While woodlands encumbered, for ages unnumbered,
Must to their bold enterprize ever give way.

We’ll go a bushranging, &c.