[Editor: This poem by Mary Hannay Foott was published in The Australasian Sketcher (Melbourne, Vic.), 26 March 1881.] Where the Pelican Builds By M. H. F. [The unexplored parts of Australia are sometimes spoken of by the bushmen of Western Queensland as the home of the … [Read more...] about Where the Pelican Builds [poem by Mary Hannay Foott, 26 March 1881]
recommended poetry
The Future of Australia [poem by Mary Hannay Black (Mary Hannay Foott), 8 February 1873]
[Editor: This poem by Mary Hannay Black (who later became Mary Hannay Foott) was published in The Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW), 8 February 1873. It was written for the anniversary of the founding of the colony of New South Wales (now known as Australia … [Read more...] about The Future of Australia [poem by Mary Hannay Black (Mary Hannay Foott), 8 February 1873]
Core of My Heart [“My Country”, poem by Dorothea Mackellar, 24 October 1908]
[Editor: This famous poem by Dorothea Mackellar was first published in The Spectator (London, UK) on 5 September 1908; it was originally entitled “Core of My Heart”, although it was later re-titled as “My Country”. The poem was published in some newspapers in 1908-1909 as “Core … [Read more...] about Core of My Heart [“My Country”, poem by Dorothea Mackellar, 24 October 1908]
The Play [poem by C.J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C.J. Dennis was published in The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke. Most of the poetry of C.J. Dennis is written in the style of the Australian vernacular. See the glossary for explanations of words and phrases.] V. THE PLAY The Play “Wot’s in a name?” … [Read more...] about The Play [poem by C.J. Dennis]
John Chinaman’s Marriage [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
[Editor: This song by Charles Thatcher was published in Thatcher’s Colonial Songster, 1857.] John Chinaman’s Marriage. A New Original Song by Thatcher, as sung by him for 400 nights. “Tune — “County Gaol.” Good people all give ear, I pray, To what I am about to … [Read more...] about John Chinaman’s Marriage [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
The Green New Chum [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
[Editor: This song by Charles Thatcher was published in Thatcher’s Colonial Songster, 1857.] The Green New Chum. New Original Song by Thatcher. Tune — Nice Young Man. Come all of you assembled here, Just listen for awhile, I’ll give you my adventures now, At which … [Read more...] about The Green New Chum [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
The Leary Boy [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
[Editor: This song by Charles Thatcher was published in Thatcher’s Colonial Songster, 1857.] The Leary Boy. New Original song, by Thatcher. Tune — The Learned Man. Come all you lads both great and small, Come stumpy ones as well as tall, If you honor me now with a … [Read more...] about The Leary Boy [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
Buying Land [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
[Editor: This song by Charles Thatcher was published in Thatcher’s Colonial Songster, 1857.] Buying Land. An Original Song by Chas. R. Thatcher. Tune — “Calder Fair.” I came out here two years ago, As you must understand; And as I’d been successful, Thinks I, I’ll … [Read more...] about Buying Land [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
Chinese Immigration [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
[Editor: This song by Charles Thatcher was published in Thatcher’s Colonial Songster, 1857.] Chinese Immigration. Original Song — Written and Sung by Mr. C. R. Thatcher. “Tune — Dicky Birds.” You doubtless read the papers, And as men of observation, Of course you … [Read more...] about Chinese Immigration [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
When a Fellow Does His Damnedest [poem by Grant Hervey]
[Editor: This poem by Grant Hervey was published in Australians Yet and Other Verses, 1913.] When a Fellow Does His Damnedest I Heard a Voice all-potent, singing deep within my soul — “Be a Strong Man, be a Smiter — keep thy Manhood sure and whole ! I have gathered up … [Read more...] about When a Fellow Does His Damnedest [poem by Grant Hervey]
The Joy of Life [poem by Grant Hervey]
[Editor: This poem by Grant Hervey was published in Australians Yet and Other Verses, 1913.] The Joy of Life I have starved my day, and have known bad luck ; I have drudged as the meanest drudge ; But I set my face to the Forward Path, and from it I did not budge ! I … [Read more...] about The Joy of Life [poem by Grant Hervey]
Kisses and Sin [poem by Grant Hervey]
[Editor: This poem by Grant Hervey was published in Australians Yet and Other Verses, 1913.] Kisses and Sin Kiss now ! while the girl is handy — You can’t when she’s far away ; Sin now ! lest your life be sandy, Oasisless and grey. Kiss now ! while the chance is … [Read more...] about Kisses and Sin [poem by Grant Hervey]
“The Man You Might Have Been” [poem by Grant Hervey]
[Editor: This poem by Grant Hervey was published in Australians Yet and Other Verses, 1913.] “The Man You Might Have Been” There’s a fearsome lot of pages filled by pessimistic sages — Men who sing glad songs no longer, but deplore the festive scene ; And these scribes … [Read more...] about “The Man You Might Have Been” [poem by Grant Hervey]
Australia For Ever [poem, 21 January 1895]
[Editor: This poem was published in The Barrier Miner, 21 January 1895.] Australia For Ever Firmly we stand on our native land, Washed by Southern waters, Heart to heart and hand to hand, Australia’s sons and daughters. And this be our pride, whatever betide The … [Read more...] about Australia For Ever [poem, 21 January 1895]
Freedom on the Wallaby [poem by Henry Lawson, 16 May 1891]
[Editor: This is one of the most well-known poems written by Henry Lawson. It was quoted by conservative Queensland parliamentarians as an example of the radicalism of The Worker newspaper (see the “Editor’s notes” section below). Published in The Worker (Brisbane, Qld.), 16 May … [Read more...] about Freedom on the Wallaby [poem by Henry Lawson, 16 May 1891]
Come, Sing Australian Songs 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.] Come, Sing Australian Songs to Me! Come, Little One, and sing to me A song our big wide land to bless, Around whose gentle parent-knee We’ve twined the flowers of … [Read more...] about Come, Sing Australian Songs to Me! [poem by John O’Brien]
Could I Hear the Kookaburras Once Again [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Could I Hear the Kookaburras Once Again May a fading fancy hover round a gladness that is over? May a dreamer in the silence rake the ashes of the past? So a spirit might … [Read more...] about Could I Hear the Kookaburras Once Again [poem by John O’Brien]
Honeymooning from the Country [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] Honeymooning from the Country To the rooms where I am dining in the glaring city’s day Come the happy honeymooners from the country far away, Two days old, and very awkward … [Read more...] about Honeymooning from the Country [poem by John O’Brien]
Ownerless [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses (1921).] Ownerless He comes when the gullies are wrapped in the gloaming And limelights are trained on the tops of the gums, To stand at the sliprails, awaiting the homing Of one … [Read more...] about Ownerless [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 Kookaburras [poem by John O’Brien]
[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in Around the Boree Log and Other Verses, 1921.] The Kookaburras Fall the shadows on the gullies, fades the purple from the mountain; And the day that’s passing outwards down the stairways of the sky, With its kindly … [Read more...] about The Kookaburras [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 Little Homes [poem by C. J. Dennis]
[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (1918).] The Little Homes We have heard the cheering, brothers, We have heard the martial peal; We have seen the soldiers marching And the glint of sun on steel. We have heard the … [Read more...] about The Little Homes [poem by C. J. Dennis]
Son of a Fool [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).] Son of a Fool Gyved and chained in his father’s home, He toiled ’neath a conqueror’s rule; Bowed to the earth in the land of his … [Read more...] about Son of a Fool [poem by C. J. Dennis]
The Joy Ride [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).] The Joy Ride Ah Gawd! It makes me sick to think Of what I ’eard an’ seen; Poor ’Arry like a wet rag flung Across the wrecked … [Read more...] about The Joy Ride [poem by C. J. Dennis]