[Editor: This list contains various works by John Neilson (1844-1922); for information about his life, see the biographical article.]
Books by John Neilson:
(Books published posthumously)
1938: John Neilson, The Men of the Fifties, Melbourne: Hawthorn Press
2009: John Neilson (edited by Andrew G. Peake), John Neilson: Poet and Songwriter: An Anthology of Poems, Glandore (SA): Adelaide Proformat for Andrew Guy Peake
Selected poetry and songs by John Neilson:
(Arranged chronologically)
The Bellbird [poem by R. G. S. (John Neilson, senior), 10 July 1878]
Peace [poem by R. G. S. (John Neilson, senior), 3 August 1878]
A poem about the Crimean War (1853-1856).
When the Shadows Flee Away [poem by R. G. S. (John Neilson, senior), 28 August 1878]
Found Dead [poem by R. G. S. (John Neilson, senior), 28 September 1878]
A poem about a dead swagman.
When the Almond Sheds its Blossoms [poem by R. G. S. (John Neilson, senior), 16 October 1878]
The Cloud City [poem by R. G. S. (John Neilson, senior), 16 November 1878]
Waiting for the Rain [song by R. G. S. (John Neilson, senior), 23 November 1878]
This song, about shearers, was John Neilson’s most successful work; it was popular amongst shearers, became a folk song (with various changes added), and was included in Banjo Paterson’s collection of Australian folk songs: The Old Bush Songs (1905).
Christmas Morn [poem by R. G. S. (John Neilson, senior), 25 December 1878]
A poem about Christmas.
Lines on the Death of Sergeant Kennedy [poem by R. G. S. (John Neilson, senior), 1 January 1879]
A poem about the shooting of police sergeant Michael Kennedy by Ned Kelly.
Via Dolorosa [poem by R. G. S. (John Neilson, senior), 1 March 1879]
A poem about Jesus Christ on his way to his crucifixion on the Hill of Calvary.
Home [poem by R. G. S. (John Neilson, senior), 29 March 1879]
A Birthday Ode [poem by R. G. S. (John Neilson, senior), 24 May 1879]
A poem regarding the birthday of Queen Victoria (born 24 May 1819).
Sunbeams [poem by R. G. S. (John Neilson, senior), 26 July 1879]
The Lancer Charge at Ulundi [poem by R. G. S. (John Neilson, senior), 14 January 1880]
A poem regarding the Battle of Ulundi, which took place on 4 July 1879 (Ulundi was the capital of the Zulu Kingdom; the Battle of Ulundi was the last major battle of the Anglo-Zulu War, fought between the British and the Zulus).
The Song of the Shearer [song, 6 November 1886]
This song, about shearers, is a different version of “Waiting for the Rain” (by John Neilson), with some changes made by Cecil W. P. Poole (?-1932).
The Harvest of the Flock [song by John Neilson (senior), 19 January 1887]
A song about shearers and the pioneers of Australia.
The Pioneers [poem by J. (John) Neilson (senior), 1893]
A poem about the pioneers of Australia. This poem won the senior prize for poetry in the Australian Natives’ Association literary competition of 1893.
Eastertide [poem by John Neilson (senior), 20 April 1895]
A poem about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Ernest Giles [poem by J. (John) Neilson (senior), 18 January 1905]
A poem about the explorer Ernest Giles (1835-1897).
Ernest Giles [revised poem by John Neilson (senior), 4 December 1910]
A poem about the explorer Ernest Giles (1835-1897). This 1910 version of the poem differs significantly to the 1905 version of the poem.
“The Pioneers”: John Neilson’s patriotic poem: Correct version supplied [revised poem by John Neilson (senior), 4 December 1910]
A poem about the pioneers of Australia. This version of the poem has only some relatively significant differences, compared to the 1893 version of the poem.
The Men of the Fifties [poem by John Neilson (senior), 1 December 1938]
A poem regarding the Eureka Rebellion.
Letters by John Neilson:
Correspondence: The Song of the Shearer [letter from John Neilson (senior), 19 January 1887]
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