Wow, John, that was brilliant! We Aussies really love our Banjo Paterson. I wish that I could help but I can't. And I wish that your W.P. was one of my Mackays who are proving so elusive. Wishing good results for you. Joan-Sydney ----- Original Message ----- From: John McKay <jomac@ansonic.com.au> To: <SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, May 04, 2001 9:31 PM Subject: With apols to the Venerable Banjo Paterson > > I am looking for a letter, which I know for want of better > Knowledge, was sent to Northern papers many years ago; > Twas W.P. Mackay who wrote it and verbatim I will quote it, > "Its time to get a free passage to this country you should know." > > In my wild erratic searches, visions come to me in urges > Of him espousing the virtues of a country so young in real terms, > Of a land replete with plenty, where a dozen could mean "20" > He wrote of this new country to his kinfolk by the burns. > > He had talked in visions splendid of the food and feast extended > Of veggies and bread, fresh fruit and good cheap meat, > He cajoled and he implored, to some displaced and those ignored > To take advantage of a bounty so plentiful and sweet. > > Now I am sitting in my dingy, little study where a stingy > Ray of hope struggles feebly down the List of e-mails long, > Tis you that I beckon, and for mine, tis you I reckon, > That can help me find his letter and amend this painful wrong. > > Tho I dream sometimes still, that I'd like to change with Will, > Like to take a turn at pioneering, in the Outback or the Coast > While he faced the round eternal of the List and the infernal > Replies to every bloody query 'cept any one I post. > > So if you're out there reading and sympathize my pleading > Find his letter from Australia to the papers round Caithness > I seek its full text, to be informed instead of vexed > Please help me find this dispatch and relieve my wrath-ness. > - ----------------------------- > > See what frustration does to you. > > John McKay > Australia >