A Tale Of Sheep And Drovers

John Zylstra. Trowel & Sword. March 1987

Preamble: This poetic masterpiece was published in T&S not that long after I started a new job where, on the first day, I was advised by the Foreman not to do any more than the next bloke. It’s funny the things you remember. Has anything really changed in the nearly forty years since? We now live in a time when a man holding a lollypop directing traffic can earn more than a primary school teacher responsible for educating our children. Go figure! Pay particular attention to the last two verses of the poem next time you enter a ballot box to cast a vote. For many years we’ve been sold the pup that church and state should be kept separate. It’s time we stood up and said: NO MORE!!

Back in the eighteen hundreds
When Australia was young.
We had our squatters and our sheep 
And all the work got done.

For a worker was a worker then
And he gladly lent a hand.
For the fortunes that the squatters made 
Were ploughed back into the land.

For they had an ounce of common sense
And were proud to earn their keep.
T’was impossible to lead them on 
Like today’s two legged sheep.

It used to be a privilege
For one to have a part
In building up this country: 
Not tearing it apart.

When mates were mates and men were men. 
It used to be a shame.
To bludge the whole darn day away.
But now it’s just a game.

‘Now listen mate. It isn’t fair
That he’s got more than you.
You sit and bludge’ shop stewards yelp.
‘Until you get it too’.

‘Yeah, sure it’s  hard on poor old Bill
That he can’t get to work:
But any bloke who works that hard 
Is just a bloom’n jerk’.

“You’ve got to think of Number One. 
Remember, blow the rest.
Those over-conscientious blokes 
Are just a bloom’n pest’.

Thus speaks our new philosophy. 
And workers, just like sheep.
While Union Bosses crack The Whip 
Are driven up the creek.

‘I don’t know what you’re thinking mate.
But as for me. I guess
That all this grabbing for one-self
Will cause one stinking mess’.

‘Do unto others as you’d have 
Them doing unto you’.
Is what The Master taught.
And yes, I’m pretty sure its true.

Instead of grabbing what we can
Put God and country first. 
For if we keep this caper up 
We’ll end up much the worst.

John Zylstra

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Comments from last week’s “Kyrie Eleison”

‘I really miss this in worship.
Also remember the psalms. There are some still in the 1990 book of worship, e.g. Psalm 6 “lord chasten not in anger, nor in your wrath rebuke me, give me your healing word..” and Psalm 77 “I cried out to God to help me … day and night I sought in vain, joy for sorrow, ease for pain…”

‘Yesterday I led congregational prayer using the last 6 Lords Day lessons (the Lord’s Prayer) of the Heidelberg Catechism. Many found it refreshing.’