Does anyone know this poem and author

[Spinifex]

Two people have mentioned this poem to me and wondered if I knew who wrote it and where they could get a copy.  CAN anyone HELP PLEASE


What's the use of talking when you are stony broke and walking,
Your tucker bag is empty and the fish refuse to bite.
OR
And you haven't got a dinar in your kick.

It is possibly in a book called `A Bluey of Swaggies`
OR
`The Bluey of Swaggy`
Any help much appreciated
   Spinifex

[Little Tent of Blue]

Spinifex, I have been looking for what is probably the same thing, though it sounds like one of them, if not both, might be a touch bastardised.

"What's the use in talking when you're stony broke and walking and your tucker bag she's flapping in the wind."

First mentioned to me by my brother in Queensland, as told to him by an old timer.
My brother says he will try and find out off the old timer.

I thought it might be Henry Lawson or Banjo Paterson, but no amount of searching comes up with anything. :?  

How about yourself, did you come up with a source?

Peace.

[Ric Raftis]

G'day all and welcome Little Tent of Blue to the Forum.

I have certainly heard this before, but can't remember where.  I have emailed of an enquiry to the Australian Folklore people as a found a question on their site about it as well.  The question was from 2002 so perhaps they have an answer by now.  Let's hope so.

[Little Tent of Blue]

Cheers Ric good on yer. (how's me 'strine)

I saw it there myself on my travels, did it say it might have been a toast or did I read that some other place?

Peace.

[Irene]

A lady by the name of Edel Wignell has produced a book called "A Bluey of Swaggies". Edel Wignell primarily writes childrens verse,stories, etc. but maybe that was one for older children.
The book is now out of print, but is available on some rare book sites. Will send an email to one who has it for sale, and see if there is a poem similar to what you are seeking in the book.

Catchya
Irene

[Ric Raftis]

I really hope you have some success Irene.  This little snippet has really got my interest up!

[Irene]

I spoke to Edel Wignell this morning, and this isn't one of her poems, so isn't in her book "A bluey of Swaggies"
She suggested contacting the Alexander Library in Perth, who, for a small fee, will do a thorough search.
Looks like it's back to the drawing board in the search!!
Her book does sound very interesting though. All about swaggies - poems, short stories, newspaper articles, etc.

Catchya
IRene

[Little Tent of Blue]

Hello Irene, thank you for that. I did write to these fellows to see if they could throw some light, but no reply as yet.

http://www.kindamindi.com.au/index.html

Peace.
Little Tent. :wink:

[Little Tent of Blue]

Irene, I'm just heading out the gap, I shall contact the library later, if I can pay on the plastic I will have them do a search.

Peace.

[Little Tent of Blue]

Update.
I have had no reply from the Library as yet, or if I have it's gone down the plughole with the spam.

I take it no reply from the folklore folks Ric?

Peace.
Mel.

[Ric Raftis]

No, nothing Mel.

[Babushka]

I know this topic is very old, but I remember my Uncle Jack (he was actually just a close friend of the family but I called him 'Uncle' as a four-year-old) used to quote it when I was a kid (about 50 years ago!), at least the first line. I've always thought it was depression era, but maybe not. (He was born in 1910 and died in 1993.)