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Frying Pan’s Theology [poem by Banjo Paterson]

4 May 2012 · 6 Comments

[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

Filed Under: poetry Tagged With: Banjo Paterson (1864-1941) (author), poem, SourceArchiveOrg, The Man from Snowy River and Other Verses (Banjo Paterson 1895), year1895

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. John Overton says

    30 June 2020 at 20:42

    Learned this in school, sixth class 1949.

    Reply
  2. Amanda Stanley says

    4 August 2020 at 08:04

    I learned this in school in late sixties.. still love it. One of my daughter’s and her childrens favourites too.

    Reply
  3. Janice Parker says

    29 October 2020 at 17:29

    I learned this in primary school in the early 50’s. was always one of my favourite poems. The sheer innocence of it captured my imagination.

    Reply
  4. René says

    11 January 2022 at 15:29

    Learnt this in high school. Taught by Mrs Heather Noone. About 1969.

    Reply
  5. Jabet says

    30 May 2022 at 13:02

    My Grandfather used to recite this poem to us when there was a thunderstorm.
    We thought storms were exciting wonderful happenings.

    Reply
  6. Wybranda Bormolini says

    16 December 2022 at 14:14

    I also learnt this poem in primary school, loved it, got 5 out 5 for reciting it.
    Trying to remember it again, my memory not so good this time.

    Reply

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