The Condamine Bell by Tony Hammill gives a cattle bell its own voice, tracing its life from a worn-out crosscut saw to a familiar sound across droving country.
From the heat of the blacksmith’s forge to night watch beside the herd, Tony follows the bell through the working life of the bush. Its ringing carries memories of the hands that made it and the people who knew its music.
THE CONDAMINE BELL
By Tony Hammill
I was born in searing heat upon the anvil’s ringing face
From a brown and rusted, worn-out crosscut saw.
I was cut and shaped and riveted, a hanger set in place,
And a striker firmly fixed within my core.
Then out of steaming water I began a brand-new life
Transformed there by the blacksmith’s skilful hands,
To ring across the Condamine and shires where drought is rife,
And verdant hills and shining river sands.
The drover knew my music as he travelled with the herd
Or rode on watch around the mob at night,
And lulled to sleep by bell-talk when the restless cattle stirred
He dreamed of beer and girls far out of sight.
Where forest eucalypts looked down on little dairy farms
The shy, elusive bellbird could be found,
And ‘tinkle, tinkle!’ ‘tonkle, tonk!’ we flaunted rival charms
That echoed through the valleys all around.
The smithy’s gone, but still today his handiwork survives,
Secure although the centuries may fly;
The arms that forged me helped to forge a Commonwealth that thrives,
Rung in by joyous notes that never die.
So treasure me; my work is done, but put me to the test,
An instrument resounding like your rhymes;
Then this proud bell will weave its magic spell at your behest,
And take you back to pioneering times!
Keeping The Verse Alive
The Condamine Bell is shared with permission from Tony Hammill through Keeping The Verse Alive, Country Campfire’s bush poetry preservation project.
By preserving poems like this, we’re helping ensure the stories, humour and characters of country Australia continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Tony Hammill
Award-Winning Bush Poet • Australian History Writer • Researcher • Retired Teacher
Tony Hammill is an award-winning bush poet and Australian history writer whose research explores folklore, historical figures and the stories behind Australian legends.
Poems, recitals, photographs, stories and original works remain the property of their original creator and are shared by Country Campfire with permission.
