AustLit logo

AustLit

image of person or book cover 4305144962027307032.jpg
This image has been sourced from online.
Issue Details: First known date: 1985... 1985 The Banjo's Best-Loved Poems : Chosen by his Grand-Daughters
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

Contents

* Contents derived from the Willoughby, Chatswood - Gordon - Castlecrag area, Sydney Northern Suburbs, Sydney, New South Wales,:Weldon Publishing , 1989 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
A Singer of the Bushi"There is waving of grass in the breeze", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry (p. 8-9)
The Man from Snowy Riveri"There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry (p. 10-15)
Pioneersi"They came of bold and roving stock that would not fixed abide;", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry (p. 16-17)
The Man from Ironbarki"It was the man from Ironbark who struck the Sydney town,", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry humour (p. 18-20)
Clancy of the Overflowi"I had written him a letter which I had, for want of better", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry (p. 21-23)
On Kiley's Runi"The roving breezes come and go", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry (p. 24-28)
The Old Timer's Steeplechasei"The sheep were shorn and the wool went down", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry humour (p. 29-35)
A Ballad of Shearing Shearing at Castlereaghi"The bell is set a-ringing, and the engine gives a toot,", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry (p. 36-37)
Any Other Time : A Ballad of Good Excuses : `The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions'i"All of us play our very best game-", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry humour (p. 38-40)
Saltbush Billi"Now this is the law of the Overland that all in the West obey,", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry

The character of "Saltbush Bill" is introduced in this poem as a drover of sheep along "the track of the Overland", who stretches the "the law of the Great Stock Routes" by allowing his sheep to make use of all the good grass they find. On the occasion described in the poem, Bill's sheep have spread across a squatter's property. A Jackaroo arrives and attempts to drive the sheep back into the accepted "space of the half-mile track". An argument and then fight ensues between Bill and the Jackaroo, and, while Bill concedes after a marathon fight, in the end he achieves his aim of finding his sheep a good feed.

(p. 41-45)
Song of the Wheati"We have sung the song of the droving days,", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry (p. 46-49)
As Long as Your Eyes are Bluei"Wilt thou love me, sweet, when my hair is grey,", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry (p. 50-51)
Father Riley's Horsei"Twas the horse thief, Andy Regan, that was hunted like a dog", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry humour (p. 52-59)
Last Weeki"Oh, the new chum went to the backblock run,", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry satire (p. 60-61)
Waltzing Matilda : Carrying a Swagi"Oh! there once was a swagman camped in the billabong,", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry (p. 63-64)
Old Pardon, the Son of Reprieve : A Racing Rhyme.i"You never heard tell of the story?", The Banjo , single work poetry humour (p. 65-75)
Mulga Bill's Bicyclei"`TWAS Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that caught the cycling craze", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry humour

Mulga Bill’s Bicycle was written by Banjo Paterson in 1896. It was written at a time when cycling was a relatively new and popular social activity. Cycles were ridden everywhere, including in the outback by shearers and other workers who needed to travel cheaply. It tells the hilarious story of Mulga Bill, who thinks he’s much better at cycling than he turns out to be. A resounding crash sends him back to his original mode of transport – his trusty horse. Kilmeny and Deborah Niland’s delightful illustrations catch the mood and humour of Paterson’s verse with great spirit, and this book has become an enduring classic.

Synopsis of the illustrated picture book.

Source: Harper Collins

(http://www.harpercollins.com.au/9780207172847/mulga-bills-bicycle/#sm.00001nzfrcbsrdd2gtij7q97dp0qg)

(p. 76-78)
The Geebung Polo Clubi"It was somewhere up the country, in a land of rock and scrub,", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry humour (p. 79-81)
The Fearsome Names Out Back Those Namesi"The shearers sat in the firelight, hearty and hale and strong,", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry humour (p. 82-84)
Driver Smithi"Twas Driver Smith of Battery A was anxious to see a fight;", A. B. Paterson , single work poetry humour (p. 85-88)
X