I met her on the Lachlan Side --
 A darling girl I thought her,
And ere I left I swore I'd win
 The free-selector's daughter.

I milked her father's cows a month,
 I brought the wood and water,
I mended all the broken fence,
 Before I won the daughter.

I listened to her father's yarns,
 I did just what I `oughter',
And what you'll have to do to win
 A free-selector's daughter.

I broke my pipe and burnt my twist,
 And washed my mouth with water;
I had a shave before I kissed
 The free-selector's daughter.

Then, rising in the frosty morn,
 I brought the cows for Mary,
And when I'd milked a bucketful
 I took it to the dairy.

I poured the milk into the dish
 While Mary held the strainer,
I summoned heart to speak my wish,
 And, oh! her blush grew plainer.

I told her I must leave the place,
 I said that I would miss her;
At first she turned away her face,
 And then she let me kiss her.

I put the bucket on the ground,
 And in my arms I caught her:
I'd give the world to hold again
 That free-selector's daughter!