Competition

Highly Commended

Joe's Barn Dancing Lessons
by Julie Pamela Hall

The station had a restless air
The farm hands were all shavin'
their good gear hanging on the lines
and no one misbehavin'

Old Manny had his clippers out
a tenna for a haircut
The girls were comin' in he said
from out as far as Blackbutt

The lads were cleaning up the barn
the dance would bring romancin'
But what had really caused a stir
the boss had took up dancin'

See Joe was not a sissy man
His face was nothin' pretty
His hat was stained with years of sweat
his hands were hard and gritty

His gold front tooth had lost its shine
his face was lined and haggard
The stubble on his chin had turned
to white His hair was ragged

He had no time for women folk
It was a steadfast rule
Now
every Tuesday night Joe drove
to Johnson's Dancing School

They spoke of it in whispers low
behind the cattle herd
But when Big Joe was on his horse
they never said a word.

The night soon came the barn was lit
It shone to Coolangatta
The tables crammed with pies and stew
and ham and corn in batter

The station hands were polished up
a struttin' and a prancin'
The girls were there all primped and fine
but nope
no one was dancin'

The music it was fun and loud
and ev'ry boot was beatin'
The lads were gathered 'round the bar
pretendin' to be eatin'

Then in strode Joe alone and tall
He scanned the room not movin'
His gaze fell on the cutest girl
Then Joe
he started groovin'

His arms came up his hips swayed left
Old Joe was really cookin'
He moved his feet in expert steps
and ev'ry eye was lookin'

He danced with ev'ry girl that night
He didn't rest or dally
He spun and twirled and dipped and lunged
He tolled up quite a tally

So now at night in old Joe's barn
The music plays in sessions
and station hands meet after tea
for Joe's Barn Dancing Lessons