THE ROAD OF NOW AND THEN

Tinkle, tinkle go the bells,

King and prince and silver knight

March through stories grandma tells

When the winter fire's alight.

Down the Road of Stories ride

People who have never died;

Fairies float and trumpets blow,

Pretty soldiers fence and bow,

On the Road from Long Ago,

Long Ago till Now.

Johnnie Fawkner sailed a boat,

There's its picture in the book;

Roses, wreaths and banners float

‘ Round the head of Captain Cook.

In the time when knights were bold

Ladies rode with bells and chains,

Horses rugged in white and gold,

Feather-legged with plaited manes.

Singing, Watch Europa go,

Wearing thinner clothes than silk.

Riding from the cattle show

On her bull as white as milk.

Sturt he led a caravan,

Kelly made the bankers jump;

Leichardt was a camel-man

Riding on a camel-hump.

Down the Road of Stories march

Gentle-folk and bullock-men,

Cracking whips and wearing starch

Down the Road of Stories go

All the people that we know.

Oh! what wonders grandmas show,

Spectacles on brow,

‘ Bout the Road from Long Ago,

Long Ago, Long Ago,

‘ Bout the Road from Long Ago,

Long Ago till Now.