On Christmas evening
Of 1890
Trooper Thomas he set out on the road
With dispatches
And two ponies
One to ride and one to bear the load

He was ridin' from Matipi a great mare between his knees
But he did not see the lioness that was crouched beneath the trees

So here's to you Trooper Thomas
As we drink our whisky and our beer
Here's to you Trooper Thomas
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

The lioness then pounced on the pony
That was carrying the precious Royal Mail
But her claws sank into the mail bag
And she dragged it to the muddy trail

Now the stallion up and bolted runnin' wildly back to camp
So the lioness turned on Thomas and she tore the grey mare's flank

So here's to you Trooper Thomas
As we drink our whisky and our beer
Here's to you Trooper Thomas
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Poor Trooper Thomas
He lost his stirrup
And he fell from his mount so heavily
While the grey mare she made her getaway
Trooper Thomas had to shin the nearest tree

From the branches he could see the lioness would not go away
And she tore the Royal Mail up just to pass that Christmas Day

So here's to you Trooper Thomas
As we drink our whisky and our beer
Here's to you Trooper Thomas
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Here's to you Trooper Thomas
As we drink our whisky and our beer (Yeah hoo)
Here's to you Trooper Thomas
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (Yeah hoo)