[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Moryah “Wisha, where is he goin’ to now With the hat on the back of the poll. And the hair of him curled on the brow, Like a millionaire out for a stroll?” “Ar’, Old Man, … [Read more...] about Moryah [poem by John O’Brien]
Editor’s notes
The Parting Rosary [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Parting Rosary They have brought the news, my darlin’, that I’ve waited for so long. Faith, ‘twas little news they brought me; every story, every song That I’ve heard … [Read more...] about The Parting Rosary [poem by John O’Brien]
The Carey’s [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Carey’s Their new house stood just off the road. A fine big brick two-storey, All gabled, tiled, and porticoed, To flaunt its owners’ glory. We never had, to tell the … [Read more...] about The Carey’s [poem by John O’Brien]
St. Patrick’s Day [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] St. Patrick’s Day ’Tis the greatest splash of sunshine right through all my retrospection On the days when fairies brought me golden dreams without alloy, When I gazed … [Read more...] about St. Patrick’s Day [poem by John O’Brien]
At Casey’s After Mass [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] At Casey’s After Mass There’s a weather-beaten sign-post where the track turns towards the west, Through the tall, white, slender timber, in the land I love the best. Short … [Read more...] about At Casey’s After Mass [poem by John O’Brien]
The Altar-Boy [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Altar-Boy Now McEvoy was altar-boy As long as I remember; He was, bedad, a crabbéd lad, And sixty come December. Faith, no one dared to “interfere” In things the … [Read more...] about The Altar-Boy [poem by John O’Brien]
The Presbyt’ry Dog [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Presbyt’ry Dog Now of all the old sinners in mischief immersed, From the ages of Gog and Magog, At the top of the list, from the last to the first, And by every good … [Read more...] about The Presbyt’ry Dog [poem by John O’Brien]
Norah O’Neill [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Norah O’Neill That Norah O’Neill is a sthreel,* And I’m talking the way that I feel, With her dowdy old hat, and her hair pasted flat, And her skirt bobbing after her … [Read more...] about Norah O’Neill [poem by John O’Brien]
Teddo Wells, Deceased [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Teddo Wells, Deceased Times I think I’m not the man — Must be some mistake. Me among the also ran? Cute and wideawake! Old and beat and crotchety — Sixty-five, at least … [Read more...] about Teddo Wells, Deceased [poem by John O’Brien]
The Pillar of the Church [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Pillar of the Church Faith, ’tis good to see him comin’ when the bell for Mass is flingin’ Gladsome golden notes appealin’ on the Sabbath-softened air, Sweet compelling … [Read more...] about The Pillar of the Church [poem by John O’Brien]
The Tidy Little Body [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Tidy Little Body Faith, and little Miss McCroddie was the tidy little body, Just as trim and prim and handy as you’d ever wish to see (She was well upon the … [Read more...] about The Tidy Little Body [poem by John O’Brien]
Said Hanrahan [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Said Hanrahan “We’ll all be rooned,” said Hanrahan, In accents most forlorn, Outside the church, ere Mass began, One frosty Sunday morn. The congregation stood … [Read more...] about Said Hanrahan [poem by John O’Brien]
The Old Mass Shandrydan [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Old Mass Shandrydan I can see it in my dreaming o’er a gap of thirty years, And the rattle of its boxes still is music in my ears: With a bow to family vanity it rises … [Read more...] about The Old Mass Shandrydan [poem by John O’Brien]
Josephine [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Josephine The presbytery has gone to pot since this house-keeper came; She’s up-to-date and stylish; but the place is not the same Since Death’s hard summons robbed me of … [Read more...] about Josephine [poem by John O’Brien]
Vale, Father Pat [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Vale, Father Pat Yes, that’s the hardest hand at all upon my frosted head — That telegram that brought the news that Father Pat is dead — I cannot grip its message yet; we … [Read more...] about Vale, Father Pat [poem by John O’Brien]
Currajong [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Currajong Old Father Pat! They’ll tell you still with mingled love and pride Of stirring deeds that live and thrill the quiet country-side; And when they praise his … [Read more...] about Currajong [poem by John O’Brien]
His Father [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] His Father We meet him first in frills immersed, By everyone caressed and nursed, A bonny baby — rather! But, though they please his every whim, Fill up his comforts to … [Read more...] about His Father [poem by John O’Brien]
When the Circus Came to Town [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] When the Circus Came to Town When the circus came to town With its coaches and four, and its steeds galore, And a band and a painted clown, Out to the road with a shout … [Read more...] about When the Circus Came to Town [poem by John O’Brien]
The Libel [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Libel “The flowers have no scent, and the birds have no song,” We read in the lesson before us, While carols enchanted came floating along, And lifted our hearts in … [Read more...] about The Libel [poem by John O’Brien]
Six Brown Boxer Hats [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Six Brown Boxer Hats The hawker with his tilted cart pulled up beside the fence, And opened out his wondrous mart with startling eloquence; All sorts of toys for girls and … [Read more...] about Six Brown Boxer Hats [poem by John O’Brien]
The Trimmin’s on the Rosary [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Trimmin’s on the Rosary Ah, the memories that find me now my hair is turning gray, Drifting in like painted butterflies from paddocks far away; Dripping dainty wings in … [Read more...] about The Trimmin’s on the Rosary [poem by John O’Brien]
Calling To Me [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Calling To Me Through the hush of my heart in the spell of its dreaming Comes the song of a bush boy glad-hearted and free; Oh, the gullies are green where the sunlight is … [Read more...] about Calling To Me [poem by John O’Brien]
Around the Boree Log [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Around the Boree Log Oh, stick me in the old caboose this night of wind and rain, And let the doves of fancy loose to bill and coo again. I want to feel the pulse of love … [Read more...] about Around the Boree Log [poem by John O’Brien]
The Austra——laise [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in Backblock Ballads and Other Verses (1913) and Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (1918). In Backblock Ballads and Other Verses it was published under the title of “A Real Australian Austra—laise”. The missing word in this poem, … [Read more...] about The Austra——laise [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Philistine [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (1918).] The Philistine Smith is a very stupid man; He lives next door to me; He has no settled scheme or plan Of domesticity. He does not own a gramophone, Nor rush for morning … [Read more...] about The Philistine [poem by C. J. Dennis]