The Unknown Swagman by Dryblower Murphy

SWAGMAN UNKNOWN.    Age About 5O.

The body of a swagman was recently found and buried in the bush out from
Coolgardie. His name was unknown, and he was about 50 years of age. 1st Aug 1915.

In the loose mould
Out from Coolgardie
Bury an old .
Pioneer hardy.

Not old. in years,
One of the stragglers
Who’d conjure no tears
From huckstering haggler,

A page from the past
These tragedies sully,
Uncoffined at last
Within an old gully.

Lay all alone
in the Sand drifty
Swagman Unknown,
Aged About 50.

Maybe this clay
So starkly sleeping
Once bad its day
In the years leaping

When Bayley’d burst
Where the dawn blushes
Maybe was first
in the*new rushes;

Twisted the dish
In the days olden,
Heard every swish
When it was golden,

Specking rich stone
In the soil sifty,
Now. he Unknown,
Aged About 50!

Maybe some mate,
Sister or brother.
Sighs in this State,
Smiles in another.

Someone adored
In the years yester,
Mary or Maud,
Eva or Esther

Some pal or friend.
Who might, have saved him
Solaced his end.
Decently graved him.

Someone o’erthrown
Some bond grown rifty
Now he’s Unknown,
Aged About 50.

Maybe he’ll sleep
Sound as they slumber,
Where women weep
And the graves cumber.

No verse in head
Tells of his dying,
But o’er his head
Sheoaks are sighing.

On his behalf
No tomb arises;
His epitaph
No one surprises:

Living alone,
Habits unthrifty
Swagman Unknown,
Aged About 50.

by DRYBLOWER MURPHY.