Frying Pan’s Theology [poem by Banjo Paterson]

[Editor: This poem by “Banjo” Paterson was published in The Man from Snowy River and Other Verses, 1895; previously published in The Bulletin, 16 December 1893.]

Frying Pan’s Theology

Scene: On Monaro.
Dramatis Personae
Shock-headed blackfellow,
Boy (on a pony).
Snowflakes are falling
Gentle and slow,
Youngster says, ‘Frying Pan
What makes it snow?’
Frying Pan, confident,
Makes the reply —
‘Shake ’im big flour bag
Up in the sky!’
‘What! when there’s miles of it?
‘Surely that’s brag.
‘Who is there strong enough
‘Shake such a bag?’
‘What parson tellin’ you,
‘Ole Mister Dodd,
‘Tell you in Sunday-School?
‘Big feller God!
‘Him drive His bullock dray,
‘Then thunder go;
‘He shake His flour bag —
‘Tumble down snow!’

Source:
Andrew Barton Paterson. The Man from Snowy River and Other Verses, Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1896 [January 1896 reprinting of the October 1895 edition], pages 86-87

Previously published in: The Bulletin, 16 December 1893