Name: Down On Dogs and Ducks
Duration: 3 min 59 s
Channel: Merv Webster
Description: "Down On Dogs and Ducks" is a song by Bush Balladeer. Australian Bush Ballad

Down On Dogs and Ducks

Bush Balladeer

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Australian Bush Ballad

ballads balladeer bush ballads bush poetry merv webster

Bush Balladeer

Australian Bush Poet and Balladeer

The particular style of music I enjoy playing is The Australian Bush Ballad pick and strum style championed by Slim Dusty and Stan Coster. The ballad style of lyrics shares the culture and the characters of my country. I am a member of the Australian Bush Balladeers. http://bushballadeers.com.au/bushpoet.htm I am also a bush Poet and a member of The Australian Bush Poets Association who define bush poetry as rhyming verse with regular metre and true rhyme about Australia, its people, places, things and way of life. http://www.abpa.org.au/

Song Info

Genre

Country • Traditional Country

Charts

Peak #373

Peak in subgenre #51

Author

Merv Webster

Rights

Merv Webster

Uploaded

March 20, 2010

Track Files

MP3

MP3 3.6 MB • 128 kbps • 3:59

Story behind the song

For some sixteen years now I have performed at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and each year the Local Lions Club run a duck race.  They asked me if I would write a song about it.  It picked up the Lyrics Only section of the National Country Music Song Writing Competition in 2010.

Lyrics

DOWN ON DOGS AND DUCKS

You ask me why I’m playing here in Tamworth town today;
well simply put some best-laid plans can sadly go astray.
The box guitar I’d played for years was looking rather beat,
so thought I’d earn a dollar mate by singing in the street.

That’s when I saw beside me this Lion’s raffle being run;
a duck race worth a thousand bucks;  a truly tidy sum.
Of course I bought a ticket, ‘cause I had in mind a scheme
to win that race so I could buy my long awaited dream.

My plan was using a pet carp that I’d bought for a steal
and figured when those plastic ducks were let loose on the Peel
I’d give that fish the drum you see what number to seek out
and he would guide my floating friend to victory no doubt.

I had it in the bag for sure I simply couldn’t lose,
so ducked down to the music store and then began to choose.
I’d have to max my credit card, but what the heck I thought,
tomorrow’s win will soon pay off this Taky that I bought.
 
The crowds were gathered long the Peel that balmy summers day
and then the starters gun went off;  those ducks were on their way.
That’s when I clued my pet carp up and let the old mate go
and prayed like mad he’d find my duck and take him undertow.

He found him straight away of course and took him to the lead
and ducked around the floating sticks and lots of slimy weed.
But then he hit a submerged log and things were looking grim
as ducks now in their hundreds were all closing in on him.

Then as they drew beside him he then nudged him free at last
and once again he took the lead and swam near twice as fast.
The crowds were cheering wildly now, but not as loud as me;
just three more metres left to go and we had victory.

But from amidst the cheering crowd emerged this ball of fur,
that jumped into the flowing stream and then that mongrel curr,
he grabbed my little yellow duck and disappeared from sight
and suddenly I kissed my dream and win that day goodnight.

So that is why I’m playing in the street from morn to dark,
as paying off that credit card is looking rather stark.
Don’t ask me though to sing a song about a dog or duck
‘cause you’ve got Buckleys chance old son you’re simply out of luck.

 ©Bush Poet and Balladeer
Merv Webster

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