Doing The Block 1872

by James Pitt-Payne, London UK - 17Mar2025
2025

All day a gay official swell,
I draw my hard earned screw,
and some folks say,
I'm paid too well,
for what I have to do.
But when the white faced office clock
marks sharp the hour of four,
I feel 'tis time to do the Block,
and life begins once more.

To stroll, I stroll down Collins Street,
at a quarter to five o'clock.
and afford a treat to each belle
I meet, by my method of doing the Block.

Let London dandies arm in arm
down Piccadilly go,
and all the world of fashion charm,
that rides in Rotten Row;
Here at the world's antipodes,
though Rotten Row we lack,
we men of fashion, take our ease
down Collins Street and back.

To stroll, I stroll down Collins Street,
at a quarter to five o'clock.
and afford a treat to each belle
I meet, by my method of doing the Block.

My brother Fred, a squatter, comes
each Christmas down to town.
A great big, burly, brawny man,
with hands all scarred and brown.
"Oh, drop that talk of Malleescrub
of stations, and of stock,
I'll meet you at the Melbourne Club,
and take you down the Block."

To stroll, I stroll down Collins Street,
at a quarter to five o'clock.
and afford a treat to each belle
I meet, by my method of doing the Block.

Yet business grave, with pleasure gay,
I still contrive to mix,
In hopes some soft goods maiden may,
her eyes upon me fix.
And the "provided for" for life,
at worldly cares I'll mock
and with my charming wealthy wife
in glory "do the Block."

To stroll, I stroll down Collins Street,
at a quarter to five o'clock.
and afford a treat to each belle
I meet, by my method of doing the Block.

Soft karaoke
Words
piano 1
piano 2
piano 3
piano 4
lyric
pizz str bass
*
Doing The Block 1872
Lyrics by Mrcus Clarke
Music by Henry Benjamin
© 1872 Melbourne
*
sequence & karaoke by James Pitt-Payne, London UK
on Monday 17 March 2025 at 13.38
in association with Torquil Syme
*
James Pitt-Payne