The Free Selectors Daughter.

[Ric]

The Free Selector's Daughter

by Henry Lawson

I met her on the Lachlan-side, a darling girl I thought her,
And ere I left, I swore I'd win the free-selector's daughter.

I milked her father's cows a month, I brought the wood and water,
I mended all the broken fence, before I won the daughter.

I listened to her father's yarns, I did just what I 'oughter',
And what you'll have to do to win a free-selector's daughter.

I broke my pipe and burnt my twist and washed my mouth with water;
I had a shave before I kissed the free selector's daughter.

Then rising in the frosty morn, I brought the cows for Mary,
And when I'd milked a bucketful I took it to the dairy.

I poured the milk into the dish while Mary held the strainer,
I summoned heart to speak my wish and oh! her blush grew plainer.

I told her I must leave the place, I said that I would miss her;
At first she turned away her face and then she let me kiss her.

I put the bucket on the ground, and in my arms I caught her;
I'd give the world to hold again, that free-selector's daughter!