THE DIGGING DAYS OF '51.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 232, 21 February 1885, Page 8

THE DIGGING DAYS OF '51.

(Written for the Observer.) Come ! fill your glasses up, dear boys, My heart is glad to-night — , Old Jeff has bottomed on the lead, And the washdirt sparkles bright ; My heart is full bf friendship and My head is full of fun, I have; not been so happy since The days of '51. My arm is getting feeble, My sands have nearly run, But I'll make a noise To please the boys. For the days of '51. 'Tis many, many years since I And this old mate of mine, First, saw the gleam, in the hidden seam, Where the grains of comfort shine — Since first we sunk our maiden shafb In. the good times long ago j • When we pitched our tent on the Fifth White Hill, / On famous Bendigo. And hand in hand we've wandered on, In steady friendship bound — Old Queensland's sun, since '51, Frank's honest face has browned ; And young Otago's bracing hills Have heard our jovial song, As we brought to light, tlje metal bright, • > That drives the world along. - / And still we rally to the front, 4 ■ ■% Where Luck's star flings a ray, Content with what her bounty sends, We drive dull care away. And when old Death does peg us off — As sure he will at last : „ His sleep will seem but a golden dream, Of a glorious day that's past ! My arm is getting feeble, My sands have-nearly run, , ■ *' But I'll make a noise To please the boys For the days of '51.. <- ; ' . " ' , Kere Kere.-Feb., 8.,,; ,„ , . ., •* J ;-f» r . • ' ♦ * * .- -at :- ' v*fan. J.