O have you not heard—
And the thing seems absurd,
Though the citizens knew to their cost,
As they dragged through the street
In the sweltering heat—
That Old Southerly Buster was Lost?
O we stared for an hour
At the Post Office tower,
Where the red lamp was plainly in view;
Where it hangs from the rope
Like a signal of hope
When Old Southerly Buster is due.

But as certain as Fate
He was half an hour late;
And blankly we turned to the sea;
For we couldn't make out,
As we turned us about,
Where Old Southerly Buster could be!
But early next night
We were filled with delight,
As we gazed on the harbour afoam,
For we felt—and we knew
By the paper that flew—
That Old Southerly Buster was home!