Dan Brodrick was a Bushman of considerable renown
Of all the Queensland Shearers - his Dad had worn the Crown.
Yet, Dan liked selling Skins the best - just smelling them felt good
And he'd get them warm, straight from the kill, then dry them over wood.

He'd salt them and he'd class them... then when he got his pay
Down the pub he'd go and drink - then start again next day.
"He'll never settle down ya know. A loner through and through!"
Oh everyone knew Brodrick - 'bout Dan there's nothing new.

A widow took on Wethers Farm - a property he prized
But he refused to work for her for she was "undersized".
"She don't belong - just look at her - that fancy, graceful pose
Go back to where ya came from....ya dainty English Rose!"

The years went by and times got tough - the Abattoir cut back
The working hours of man and dog along the Balmain track.
The day the gates closed up for good old Dan thought long and hard;
He'd have to pocket pride real deep - perhaps it's own reward!

He hitched a ride to Wethers Farm and stood there cap in hand
And heard himself ask for a job - on English Rose's land.
He settled in the stables with the horses and old Blue
His trusty, friendly "Heeler" he'd a had a year or two.

The Wethers Farm was out of town no drinking hole was near
Dan's constitution and his mien, both, began to clear.
It's strange how people thrown together soon become as one -
And never two more different under Queensland's searing sun.

Elaine got used to Bushman Dan who loved his English Rose.
She kept her feelings to herself and kept HIM on his toes!
Another eighteen months went by the Wethers Farm did well.
Then came the drought and with it, a frightening bushfire spell.

With Winter came the icy nights then followed by Spring rain
The farm with all its crops sown out, did really well again.
Then came the day you could have knocked Dan dead upon the floor
When Harry Hammerwitz arrived and brought the farm next door!!

He drove a big Ford cattle truck and he could dance and sing
He even bought HIS Elaine a big engagement ring.
But Dan, not one to give up quick, had measured up his size
And went to Danbry Races to try and win First Prize.

He'd saved up years of honest pay and knew that second place
Would lose him more than money - he just had to win that race!
Bushman's Joy - a wondrous horse - he even knew the rider:
There was one hitch...this stallion, was just a rank outsider!!!

But Dan had trained it from a foal, he knew what it could do
He also took a long shot that no-one else there knew
That Elaine's horse had never run a race like this before.
He waited 'till the very last to make his bet more "sure".

"They're at the starter's gate...they're OFF!!" He ran towards the fence
Just as the horses galloped past, the jockeys looking tense.
His horse was coming second he watched in deep despair
When suddenly the crowd went wild and "Bushman!" rent the air.

Dan stood stock still, amazement, lit a glow upon his face
"Well, whadya know me stallion's gone and won the bloomin' race!!"
For Honour is as Honour does - all's fair in Love and War -
A wedding ring he bought and took it straightway to her door.

"Well...there you have the story..." he patted the boy's head
"And now I think it's time for you to get into your bed.
For Grandma's called me back downstairs - she's made a cuppa tea
And I can smell she's made some damper just for lucky me!!"

He stood there for a moment, his grandson closed his eyes
And Dan knew he'd be dreaming 'bout how he'd won first prize.
He loved to babysit the kids and give his son a chance
To take his lovely wife away for dinner and a dance.

"I told young Dan our story." "Well, you don't know the rest"
"You only know you won the race .... but you don't know the best...
Cause I was at the races, too, and here's the funny thing
I think some rays of sunlight caught that big engagement ring!"

"So THAT was why the filly shied - for I was sure she'd won.
Better trained, more disciplined - I knew she could outrun
Our Bushman's Joy... and yet..." he said, and frowned as if in thought...
"She's still the best darn breeding mare that anyone has bought!"

He gently took his wife's small hand and gave her a soft kiss
"Well, whadya know it's Harry that we've to thank for this."
"And since we're sharing secrets...I guess no-one really knows
That I love ya Elaine Brodrick, me darlin' English Rose."