[naturalman1975]

Breaker Morant was a reasonably well known and successful Australian poet before the Boer War. He wasn't one of the greats of Australian literature, but he was good enough that his work appeared in The Bulletin alongside such figures as Henry Lawson, and Banjo Patterson.

The night before he was executed, he wrote his final poem. It is, in my view, a wonderful poem, which I will share at any opportunity.

Butchered to make a Dutchman's Holiday

In prison cell I sadly sit
A dammed crestfallen chappie
And own to you I feel a bit-
A little bit — unhappy.

It really ain't the place nor time
To reel off rhyming diction
But yet we'll write a final rhyme
While waiting crucifixion.

No matter what end they decide
Quick-lime? or b'iling ile? sir
We'll do our best when crucified
To finish off in style, sir!

But we bequeath a parting tip
For sound advice of such men
Who come across in transport ship
To polish off the Dutchmen.

If you encounter any Boers
You really must not loot 'em
And, if you wish to leave these shores
For pity’s sake, don’t shoot 'em.

And if you’d earn a D.S.O.
Why every British sinner
Should know the proper way to go
Is: Ask the Boer to dinner.

Let’s toss a bumper down our throat
Before we pass to heaven
And toast: "The trim-set petticoat
We leave behind in Devon."

[okie01]

There was a little Robert Service in the lad, 'tweren't there?

Thanks for sharing.

[dfwgator]

“There once was a man from Australia....”

[Izzy Dunne]

And if you’d earn a D.S.O.

What's a D.S.O. ?

[Tax-chick]

It’s not exactly Kipling, but it rhymes and scans, with a nice use of dialect and a culturally appropriate cynical insouciance.