" But for the collapse of
the orchestra, due to his own inimitable art, he would have danced till
dawn.
A SONG WITHOUT WORDS
Mickie is a famous vocalist, although his repertoire is limited. He
sings lustily and with no little art, putting considerable expression
into his phrases, and ever and anon taking a sharp but studied rest to
increase his emphasis, when he will burst forth again with full-throated
ease. His masterpiece is not original. Indeed he claims no title to the
gifts of a composer. "Jacky," a Mackay boy, taught Mickie his
favourite romance, and it came to Jacky in a dream. Mickie explains--
"Cousin alonga that fella die. Jacky go to sleep. That fella dead man all
a same like debil-debil--come close up and tell 'em corrobboree close up
ear belonga Jacky."
"What that debil-debil say?"
Mickie--"No talk--that fella. Just tell 'em corrobboree. No talk."
It was just a song without words--the final phrases being three guttural
gasps, diluendo, which Mickie says represent the wail of the "debil-debil"
as he retires into the obscurity of spirit-land.
Mickie sings this song of inspiration most vigorously, when Jinny, his
portly spouse, comes to "wash 'em plate" in the evening, and she
explains with a fat chuckle--"Mickie corrobboree loud fella.
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