The Old Survey

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Our money's all spent, to the deuce it went!
 The landlord, he looks glum;
On the tap-room wall, in a very bad scrawl,
 He has chalked to us a sum.
But a glass we'll take, ere the grey dawn break,
 And then saddle up and away -
Theodolite-tum, theodolite-ti, theodolite-too-ral-ay.

With a measured beat fall our horses' feet,
 Galloping side by side;
When the money's done, and we've had our fun,
 We all are bound to ride.
O'er the far-off plain we'll drag the chain,
 And mark the settler's way -
Theodolite-tum, theodolite-ti, theodolite-too-ral-ay.

We'll range from the creeks to the mountain peaks,
 And traverse far below;
Where foot never trod, we'll mark with a rod
 The limits of endless snow;
Each lofty crag we'll plant with a flag,
 To flash in the sun's bright ray -
Theodolite-tum, theodolite-ti, theodolite-too-ral-ay.

Till with cash hard-earned once more returned,
 At "The Beaver" bars we'll shout;
And the very bad scrawI that's against the wall
 Ourselves shall see wiped out.
Such were the ways in the good old days! -
 The days of the old survey!
Theodolite-tum, theodolite-ti, theodolite-too-ral-ay.

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