When I was a little girl and lived just up the track
In a small weatherboard cottage with gum trees out the back.
It was about a mile from town so it wasn't all that far,
And I had to walk or ride my bike, 'cos we didn't have a car.
Our lifestyle was very simple, but we were never poor
Tho it may have seemed that way because of the clothes I wore!
We didn't have electricity, but the house and land were ours
Dad had a vegie garden, a horse and several cows
And pigs he reared for pork, and the bacon was a treat.
One new dress for 'going out' was purchased every year
And of course, a winter coat, before Jack Frost appeared.
Otherwise my clothes were few, mended, darned and patched,
But clean and pressed - and they nearly always matched.
I always recall what grandma said if I should dare complain.
She told me more than once, now it's etched into my brain.
"Keep your hair clean and brush it until it shines,
Tie it up with a pretty ribbon and you will look just fine.
Polish up your shoes and make sure they're very clean
Then nobody will ever notice what's worn in between."
My dad he mended all my shoes and replaced worn soles,
Toe caps and heel caps and the leather covered holes.
And woe betide me if shoes came off with laces still untied!
He'd always check the state of them, in case by chance I lied.
Although I loved my best dress, I wish I had one more
Maybe just to add a little change to the clothes I wore.
To school I wore a navy tunic with pleats so hard to press,
While in the summer month, a boring navy dress.
Eventually the nuns at school taught me how to sew,
How to use a pattern and other things to know.
So I made myself a garment I wore with pride and joy -
It was a vest and slacks, all made of corduroy.
When finally I left school and gained my independence
And with new experience boosted up my confidence.
I'd check out all the stores and clothing out on show
Then I'd get on my machine, and sew and sew and sew.
Very soon my wardrobe was filled up to capacity
And the clothes that I wore added class to my vivacity!
Now, before going out, I check that my hair and shoes are clean
But I always get to choose what's worn in between,
Whether they are conservative, or maybe even daring
I am always comfortable in the clothes that I am wearing.
Betty Milligan
April 2018
In a small weatherboard cottage with gum trees out the back.
It was about a mile from town so it wasn't all that far,
And I had to walk or ride my bike, 'cos we didn't have a car.
Our lifestyle was very simple, but we were never poor
Tho it may have seemed that way because of the clothes I wore!
We didn't have electricity, but the house and land were ours
Dad had a vegie garden, a horse and several cows
And pigs he reared for pork, and the bacon was a treat.
One new dress for 'going out' was purchased every year
And of course, a winter coat, before Jack Frost appeared.
Otherwise my clothes were few, mended, darned and patched,
But clean and pressed - and they nearly always matched.
I always recall what grandma said if I should dare complain.
She told me more than once, now it's etched into my brain.
"Keep your hair clean and brush it until it shines,
Tie it up with a pretty ribbon and you will look just fine.
Polish up your shoes and make sure they're very clean
Then nobody will ever notice what's worn in between."
My dad he mended all my shoes and replaced worn soles,
Toe caps and heel caps and the leather covered holes.
And woe betide me if shoes came off with laces still untied!
He'd always check the state of them, in case by chance I lied.
Although I loved my best dress, I wish I had one more
Maybe just to add a little change to the clothes I wore.
To school I wore a navy tunic with pleats so hard to press,
While in the summer month, a boring navy dress.
Eventually the nuns at school taught me how to sew,
How to use a pattern and other things to know.
So I made myself a garment I wore with pride and joy -
It was a vest and slacks, all made of corduroy.
When finally I left school and gained my independence
And with new experience boosted up my confidence.
I'd check out all the stores and clothing out on show
Then I'd get on my machine, and sew and sew and sew.
Very soon my wardrobe was filled up to capacity
And the clothes that I wore added class to my vivacity!
Now, before going out, I check that my hair and shoes are clean
But I always get to choose what's worn in between,
Whether they are conservative, or maybe even daring
I am always comfortable in the clothes that I am wearing.
Betty Milligan
April 2018
