Backblock Ballads and Later Verses

by C. J. Dennis

And he stepped around the waggon, not with footsteps weak and laggin'
But with firm, determined bearin', as he flung the whip on high.

BACKBLOCK BALLADS

AND LATER VERSES

BY

C. J. DENNIS

Author of "The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke," "Doreen,"
"The Moods of Ginger Mick," "The Glugs of Gosh," etc.

Illustrated by Hal Gye

SYDNEY

ANGUS & ROBERTSON LTD.

89 CASTLEREAGH STREET

1918

Printed by W.C. Penfold & Co. Lrd., 183 Pitt Street, Sydney
for
Angus & Robertson Ltd.

London: The Oxford University Press.

Most of these verses appeared originally in the "Bulletin" ; others in the "Lone Hand" (Sydney), "Weekly Times" (Melbourne), "Gadfly," "Critic," and "Evening Journal" (Adelaide). To the proprietors of these journals the thanks of the author are due for permission to reprint.

Dramatic, Cinema and all other Rights are reserved.

CONTENTS
Page
AN OLD MASTER We were cartin' laths and palin's from the slopes of Mount St. Leonard		11
"PAW" Haw! Ai've just obteened a pension for mai Paw		15
THE BUILDERS Behold, I built a fowlhouse in my yard!		19
WHEAT "Sowin' things an' growin' things, an' watchin' of 'em grow;		23
THE LOVERS One idle hour she sought to see		27
"GOT-A-FAG" He was tall and tough and stringy, with the shoulders of an axeman		29
THE CHASE OF AGES Light of my lives! Is the time not yet?		34
A GUIDE FOR POITS I ain't no verse-'og. When I busts in song		37
GRIMBLES AND THE GNAD It was told me by a bushman, bald and bent, and very old,		42
LANGWIDGE "The flamin' cows !" 'e sez: 'e did, an' worse;		49
THE JOY RIDE Ah, Gawd! It makes me sick to think		52
THE HOMEWARD TRACK Once a year we lumber southward with the clip from Yarradee;		57
SORE THROAT The pale young man he comes to me,		59
WHEN THE SUN'S BEHIND THE HILL There's a soft and peaceful feeling		63
'URRY! Now, Ma-til-der! Ain't cher dressed yet? I declare, the girl ain't up!		66
HOPEFUL HAWKINS Hawkins wasn't in the swim at all in Dingo Flat,		71
TIMBERLAND Tell you tales of pleasant cities, where processions never ending		75
WEARY Oh, I'm sick of the whole darned human race,		78
HYMN OF FUTILITY Lord, Thou hast given unto us a land		80
A SONG OF RAIN Because a little vagrant wind veered south from China Sea;		85
THE BORE Ah, prithee, friend, if thou hast aught		89
THE CULTURED CONSTABLE Five nights agone I lay at rest		91
MY POOR RELATION I have a poor relation, but		97
THE BOON OF DISCONTENT Once an anthropoidal ape		99
SON OF A FOOL Gyved and chained in his father's home,		104
THE SILENT MEMBER He lived in Mundaloo, and Bill McClosky was his name,		107
COW Aw, go write your tinklin' jingle, an' your pretty phrases mingle		110
THE HIGH PRIEST Nay, why do foolish politicians strive		114
THE PHILISTINE Smith is a very stupid man;		117
WORK OR REFLECTION Now, I always have preserved a certain attitude		121
THE MARCH In early, prehistoric days, before the reign of Man,		124
THE LITTLE HOMES We have heard the cheering, brothers,		127
THE BRIDGE ACROSS THE CRICK Joseph Jones and Peter Dawking		131
K'SHOO Whed your dose is code as barble		135
VULGAR FRACTIONS Now, when Bill, the pick and shovel man, or Archibald, the clerk		138
THE MINGLERS I hold by stern morality,		143
THE AUSTRAL——AISE Fellers of Australier,		147

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