[Editor: This song was published in the “Flotsam and Jetsam” column of The Queenslander (4 August 1894). Two different versions of the same song were included on the same page; this is the version supplied by G. Doyle, which uses the phrase “stalwart young stockman” (the other … [Read more...] about The Dying Stockman [Doyle/stalwart version] [song, 4 August 1894]
SourceTrove
The Old Bullock Dray [song, 14 March 1890]
[Editor: This song was published in The North Melbourne Advertiser (14 March 1890). It was also included in Banjo Paterson’s collection, The Old Bush Songs (1905), with some variations.] The Old Bullock Dray Oh, the shearing is all over and the wool is coming down, And I … [Read more...] about The Old Bullock Dray [song, 14 March 1890]
Botany Bay [song, 1885]
[Editor: This is the text of the song from the stage show “Little Jack Sheppard”, which played in London in 1885 and in Melbourne in 1886, which went on to become a popular song in Australia. Published in Selection of Words and Music from Little Jack Sheppard: Burlesque Drama in … [Read more...] about Botany Bay [song, 1885]
A Business Melody [poem, 24 July 1885]
[Editor: A poetic encouragement to advertising, based upon the old poem “The Man in Our Town” (further details given below). Published in The North Eastern Ensign, 24 July 1885.] A Business Melody There was a man in our town, And he was wondrous wise, For when he marked … [Read more...] about A Business Melody [poem, 24 July 1885]
The Squatter’s Farewell [song, 1 November 1884]
[Editor: This song was published in The Queenslander, 1 November 1884. It was also included in Banjo Paterson’s collection, The Old Bush Songs (1905), under the title of “The Broken-Down Squatter”, with some variations.] The Squatter’s Farewell. A.D. 1885. Come, … [Read more...] about The Squatter’s Farewell [song, 1 November 1884]
When the Pigs Fly [song, 3 July 1880]
[Editor: A song of humourous intent, directed against the idea of women being given the right to vote. Published in The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, 3 July 1880.] When the Pigs Fly Some folks they want cremation, and are very much … [Read more...] about When the Pigs Fly [song, 3 July 1880]
Australian Hymn [song by the Rev. John Dunmore Lang, 1826 (republished 1835)]
[Editor: Written by John Dunmore Lang, this was published in the The Colonist (4 June 1835). Previously published in Lang’s book, Aurora Australis; or Specimens of Sacred Poetry, for the Colonists of Australia (1826) under the title “Australian Hymn: For the Native Youth of the … [Read more...] about Australian Hymn [song by the Rev. John Dunmore Lang, 1826 (republished 1835)]
Hawking [song, 4 October 1873]
[Editor: This song was published in The Queenslander (4 October 1873). It was also included in Banjo Paterson’s collection, The Old Bush Songs (1905), with some variations.] Hawking. Air — “Bow, wow, wow.” Now shut your months, you loafers all, You vex me with your … [Read more...] about Hawking [song, 4 October 1873]
Little Things [poem, 21 December 1872]
[Editor: A poem by Mr. H. S. Banks. Published in The Illustrated Sydney News and New South Wales Agriculturalist & Grazier, 21 December 1872.] Little Things The little things which make life fair Are just as beautiful as rare; ’Tis these, we oft so lightly heed Which … [Read more...] about Little Things [poem, 21 December 1872]
Geoffry Prophesieth to his Public of the Future Greatness of Adelaide [poem, 9 July 1872]
[Editor: A poem from Geoffry Crabthorn’s column “Echoes from the bush”. Published in The South Australian Register, 9 July 1872.] Geoffry Prophesieth to his Public of the Future Greatness of Adelaide. [After Lord Macaulay.] Thine Adelaide is the triumph! Adelaide, the … [Read more...] about Geoffry Prophesieth to his Public of the Future Greatness of Adelaide [poem, 9 July 1872]
The Stockman’s Song [song, 3 June 1863]
[Editor: This song was published in The Empire (3 June 1863). It was also included in Banjo Paterson’s collection, The Old Bush Songs (1905), under the title of “The Australian Stockman”, with minor variations.] The Stockman’s Song The sun peers o’er the wooded ridge, … [Read more...] about The Stockman’s Song [song, 3 June 1863]
A Song of Australia [song, 3 September 1862]
[Editor: A patriotic song. Published in The Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal, 3 September 1862.] “A Song of Australia.” Si canimus sylvas, sylvae, sint, consule dignae (Virgil.) Oh! the land of Australia the happy and free, The land of Australia for ever for … [Read more...] about A Song of Australia [song, 3 September 1862]
The Squatter’s Dirge to his Ladye Love [song, 11 December 1860]
[Editor: This song is taken from a long letter to the The Sydney Morning Herald of 11 December 1860, in which the writer makes the point that the squatter’s life is not an easy one; the tune is a parody of the then popular song “Come, dwell with me”; some extracts from the letter … [Read more...] about The Squatter’s Dirge to his Ladye Love [song, 11 December 1860]
The Old House in Park Street [poem, 22 September 1855]
[Editor: One of a number of poetic advertisements produced by Wiley & Son, under the heading of “The Old House in Park Street”. This particular poetic advertisement encouraged the public to buy baskets, so to carry their food and drinks to the opening of the Sydney and Parramatta … [Read more...] about The Old House in Park Street [poem, 22 September 1855]
Billy Barlow in Australia [song, 2 September 1843]
[Editor: This song was published in The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser (2 September 1843). It was also included in Banjo Paterson’s collection, The Old Bush Songs (1905), with minor variations.] Billy Barlow in Australia When I was at home I was down … [Read more...] about Billy Barlow in Australia [song, 2 September 1843]
[Australia’s Birth-day] [song, 3 February 1827]
[Editor: A song written in 1827, to the tune of “Patrick’s Day”, for the celebration of the founding of New South Wales. Published in The Monitor, 3 February 1827.] [Australia’s Birth-day] The following Paraphrase on one of Moore’s National Melodies, arranged expressly … [Read more...] about [Australia’s Birth-day] [song, 3 February 1827]
Australasia [poem by William Charles Wentworth, 25 March 1824]
[Editor: This poem was written by William Charles Wentworth in 1823, when he was at Cambridge University, England. Published in The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (Sydney, NSW), 25 March 1824. Twenty explanatory footnotes were provided with the poem. As the text … [Read more...] about Australasia [poem by William Charles Wentworth, 25 March 1824]
Song, for the Commemoration Dinner, January 26, 1820 [song by Michael Massey Robinson, 5 February 1820]
[Editor: A song, by Michael Massey Robinson, written for the anniversary of the founding of the colony of New South Wales. Published in The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, 5 February 1820.] [Song, for the Commemoration Dinner, January 26, 1820] We regret, … [Read more...] about Song, for the Commemoration Dinner, January 26, 1820 [song by Michael Massey Robinson, 5 February 1820]
[Friendly Admonition; Native Habits] [poems, 6 November 1808]
[Editor: Two early poems. No authorship is given, although the first poem is signed “S”. The second poem includes an early usage of the word “Australasia”. Published in The Sydney Gazette, and New South Wales Advertiser, 6 November 1808.] [Friendly Admonition; Native … [Read more...] about [Friendly Admonition; Native Habits] [poems, 6 November 1808]
The scheme opposed [1 April 1925]
[Editor: In 1925 the Aborigines’ Friends’ Association discussed the possibility of creating a separate state for Aborigines, but decided against it. The idea of a separate “black state” had been raised in the newspapers on previous occasions.] The scheme opposed. At a … [Read more...] about The scheme opposed [1 April 1925]
Not what he thought [31 January 1935]
[Editor: This anecdote is from the “So They Say” column in the The Queenslander.] Not what he thought An old Western identity, whom I will call Tom Blank, was having a spree at an hotel and went to sleep in the bar. We picked him up and laid him on the sofa in the … [Read more...] about Not what he thought [31 January 1935]
First Australian editress: Henry Lawson’s mother [3 July 1939]
First Australian editress Henry Lawson’s mother Reading with interest the recent articles on Charlotte Bronte and Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin in the Women’s Supplement recalls to my mind another remarkable woman, Louisa Lawson, who pioneered women’s literature in … [Read more...] about First Australian editress: Henry Lawson’s mother [3 July 1939]
Lawson & some contemporaries were pioneer labor poets [11 September 1950]
[Editor: This article notes that Henry Lawson was an early Labor poet; it also refers to the use of blue as a “fighting colour of Labor”.] Lawson & some contemporaries were pioneer Labor poets No doubt Labor has a right to call Lawson one of its singing pioneers. Here’s … [Read more...] about Lawson & some contemporaries were pioneer labor poets [11 September 1950]
[Advertisement for immigration from Britain] [27 January 1824]
[Editor: A notice advertising assistance for immigrants from the United Kingdom. Published in The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, 27 January 1824.] [Advertisement for immigration from Britain] NOTICE.– The Australian Company’s Agent begs to intimate to the … [Read more...] about [Advertisement for immigration from Britain] [27 January 1824]
Proclamation [Martial Law declared in NSW, 11 March 1804]
[Editor: Governor King declares Martial Law in areas of New South Wales, following the outbreak of the Castle Hill rebellion. Published in The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, 11 March 1804.] Proclamation By Philip Gidley King, Esq, Captain-General and … [Read more...] about Proclamation [Martial Law declared in NSW, 11 March 1804]