'The Song Of Old Joe Swallow' by Henry Lawson
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When I was up the country in the rough and early days,
I used to work along ov Jimmy Nowlett's bullick-drays;
Then the reelroad wasn't heered on, an' the bush was wild an' strange,
An' we useter draw the timber from the saw-pits in the range --
Load provisions for the stations, an' we'd travel far and slow
Through the plains an' 'cross the ranges in the days of long ago.
Then it's yoke up the bullicks and tramp beside 'em slow,
An' saddle up yer horses an' a-ridin' we will go,
To the bullick-drivin', cattle-drovin',
Nigger, digger, roarin', rovin'
Days o' long ago.
Once me and Jimmy Nowlett loaded timber for the town,
But we hadn't gone a dozen mile before the rain come down,
An' me an' Jimmy Nowlett an' the bullicks an' the dray
Was cut off on some risin' ground while floods around us lay;
An' we soon run short of tucker an' terbacca, which was bad,
An' pertaters dipped in honey was the only tuck we had.
An' half our bullicks perished when the drought was on the land,
An' the burnin' heat that dazzles as it dances on the sand;
When the sun-baked clay an' gravel paves for miles the burnin' creeks,
An' at ev'ry step yer travel there a rottin' carcase reeks --
But we pulled ourselves together, for we never used ter know
What a feather bed was good for in those days o' long ago.
But in spite ov barren ridges an' in spite ov mud an' heat,
An' dust that browned the bushes when it rose from bullicks' feet,
An' in spite ov cold and chilblains when the bush was white with frost,
An' in spite of muddy water where the burnin' plain was crossed,
An' in spite of modern progress, and in spite of all their blow,
'Twas a better land to live in, in the days o' long ago.
When the frosty moon was shinin' o'er the ranges like a lamp,
An' a lot of bullick-drivers was a-campin' on the camp,
When the fire was blazin' cheery an' the pipes was drawin' well,
Then our songs we useter chorus an' our yarns we useter tell;
An' we'd talk ov lands we come from, and ov chaps we useter know,
For there always was behind us OTHER days o' long ago.
Ah, them early days was ended when the reelroad crossed the plain,
But in dreams I often tramp beside the bullick-team again:
Still we pauses at the shanty just to have a drop er cheer,
Still I feels a kind ov pleasure when the campin'-ground is near;
Still I smells the old tarpaulin me an' Jimmy useter throw
O'er the timber-truck for shelter in the days ov long ago.
I have been a-driftin' back'ards with the changes ov the land,
An' if I spoke ter bullicks now they wouldn't understand,
But when Mary wakes me sudden in the night I'll often say:
`Come here, Spot, an' stan' up, Bally, blank an' blank an' come-eer-way.'
An' she says that, when I'm sleepin', oft my elerquince 'ill flow
In the bullick-drivin' language ov the days o' long ago.
Well, the pub will soon be closin', so I'll give the thing a rest;
But if you should drop on Nowlett in the far an' distant west --
An' if Jimmy uses doubleyou instead of ar an' vee,
An' if he drops his aitches, then you're sure to know it's he.
An' yer won't forgit to arsk him if he still remembers Joe
As knowed him up the country in the days o' long ago.
Then it's yoke up the bullicks and tramp beside 'em slow,
An' saddle up yer horses an' a-ridin' we will go,
To the bullick-drivin', cattle-drovin',
Nigger, digger, roarin', rovin'
Days o' long ago.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Song of Old Joe Swallow: A Deep Dive into Henry Lawson's Masterpiece
Have you ever read a piece of literature that just hits you in the gut? That's what happened to me when I first read Henry Lawson's "The Song of Old Joe Swallow." This classic poem tells the story of an old swagman who has lived a rough and tumble life on the road, and now finds himself facing the end of his journey. In this interpretation, we'll take a closer look at the poem's themes, literary devices and historical context, and explore why it has remained a beloved piece of Australian literature for over a century.
Historical Context
First, let's set the scene. "The Song of Old Joe Swallow" was written by Henry Lawson in 1892, and was published in his collection "In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses." Lawson was an Australian writer who is considered one of the most important figures in Australian literature. His work focused on the lives of ordinary Australians, particularly those who lived in poverty or struggled under difficult circumstances.
Lawson himself lived a difficult life. Born in 1867, he grew up in poverty and suffered from an ear infection that left him nearly deaf. He worked a variety of jobs as a young man, including as a coach painter and a roustabout (a worker on a sheep station). He began writing in his early twenties, and quickly gained a reputation as a talented poet and short story writer.
"The Song of Old Joe Swallow" was written during a time when swagmen were a common sight in Australia. Swagmen were itinerant workers who travelled from place to place, carrying their belongings (known as their "swag") on their back. They typically worked as labourers, doing odd jobs for farmers or other landowners in exchange for food and shelter. Swagmen were often seen as symbols of the toughness and resilience of the Australian character, but they also faced many hardships, including poverty, hunger, and social isolation.
Themes
So what is "The Song of Old Joe Swallow" about? At its core, the poem is a meditation on mortality and the passing of time. Joe Swallow is an old man who has lived a long and difficult life, and is now facing the end of his journey. He reflects on his life and the choices he has made, and wonders what his legacy will be after he is gone.
One of the most striking themes of the poem is the idea of loneliness and isolation. Joe Swallow is a man who has spent his life on the road, moving from place to place and never putting down roots. He has had few friends or companions, and now finds himself alone as he faces his final days. This sense of loneliness is captured in lines like:
"And I've seen the best of company when the roads were dry and good,
But the mates that I loved the best are the mates that I've never stood,
And I've seen the best of dosses when the night was wet and black,
But the dosses that I slept the soundest in are those that I never came back."
Here, Joe reflects on the fleeting nature of human relationships, and the way that the road has kept him apart from those he cares about. The idea of a "doss" (a place to sleep) also speaks to the idea of transience and impermanence – the best sleeps Joe ever had were in places he would never return to.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of struggle and resilience. Joe Swallow is a man who has faced many challenges and hardships over the course of his life, from hunger and poverty to physical injury and illness. Yet despite all of this, he has persevered and continued on his journey. This resilience is captured in lines like:
"And my heart has been near to breaking, with the stones and the calico,
But it's kept on thumpin' away, boys, thumpin' away you know;
And I've tramped through the bloomin' country, and I've tramped the bloomin' town,
But if I had my choice again, I'd sooner be up than down."
Here, we see that Joe's heart has been tested, but it has continued to beat. He has tramped through the country and the town, and though he has faced many challenges, he would do it all again if given the chance. This speaks to the toughness and resilience of the Australian character, and the idea that hardship can make us stronger.
Literary Devices
So how does Lawson achieve these themes and ideas in his poem? One of the key literary devices he employs is repetition. Throughout the poem, certain phrases and lines are repeated, creating a sense of rhythm and unity. For example, the phrase "I've travelled alone" is repeated several times, emphasizing Joe's isolation and loneliness. Similarly, the refrain "And it's tramp, tramp, tramp with a bullet in your back" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of momentum and urgency.
Another important device Lawson uses is imagery. He paints vivid pictures of the Australian landscape, using imagery that is both beautiful and harsh. For example, he describes the "black soil plains" and the "spinifex and sand" that Joe has travelled through. This imagery creates a sense of the vastness and power of the Australian landscape, as well as the challenges that it poses to those who try to traverse it.
Finally, Lawson's use of dialect is also noteworthy. Joe Swallow speaks in a distinctive vernacular that captures the rhythms and inflections of Australian speech. Words like "bloomin'" and "doss" are used throughout the poem, creating a sense of authenticity and realism. This dialect also serves to remind us of the social and economic context in which the poem was written, and the struggles faced by ordinary Australians of that time.
Conclusion
So why has "The Song of Old Joe Swallow" endured as a classic piece of Australian literature for over a century? In many ways, it speaks to universal themes and experiences – the struggles and hardships of life, the passing of time, and the search for meaning and connection in a sometimes lonely world. Lawson's use of repetition, imagery, and dialect creates a powerful and evocative portrait of a man who has lived a full and difficult life, and is now facing his final journey. For anyone who has ever felt alone or struggled through hard times, "The Song of Old Joe Swallow" is a reminder of the strength and resilience that can be found in the human spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Song of Old Joe Swallow: A Timeless Classic of Australian Poetry
Henry Lawson, one of Australia's most celebrated poets, is known for his ability to capture the essence of the Australian bush and its people. His poem, The Song of Old Joe Swallow, is a perfect example of his talent. This classic piece of Australian poetry tells the story of a man who has lived a long and hard life, and who has seen the world change around him.
The poem begins with a description of Old Joe Swallow, a man who has seen better days. He is old and worn out, with a face that is weather-beaten and lined with wrinkles. He is a man who has lived a hard life, and who has seen the world change around him. Despite his age and his hardships, however, Old Joe Swallow is still full of life and spirit. He is a man who has not given up, and who still has a lot to offer the world.
As the poem progresses, we learn more about Old Joe Swallow's life. We learn that he has been a sailor, and that he has traveled the world. We learn that he has seen many things, both good and bad, and that he has experienced many different cultures and ways of life. Despite all of this, however, Old Joe Swallow has never forgotten his roots. He is still a proud Australian, and he still loves his country and its people.
One of the most striking things about The Song of Old Joe Swallow is its use of language. Lawson's poetry is known for its simple, yet powerful, language, and this poem is no exception. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, which help to bring Old Joe Swallow's story to life. For example, when describing Old Joe Swallow's face, Lawson writes:
"His face was like a map of life, With all its joys and sorrows, And every line upon his brow Was like a page of history."
This powerful metaphor helps to convey the idea that Old Joe Swallow's face is a reflection of his life, and that every line and wrinkle tells a story.
Another striking aspect of The Song of Old Joe Swallow is its theme of resilience. Old Joe Swallow is a man who has faced many challenges in his life, but he has never given up. He is a man who has learned to adapt to changing circumstances, and who has always found a way to keep going. This theme of resilience is particularly relevant in today's world, where many people are facing difficult times. The poem reminds us that, no matter how hard things get, we can always find a way to keep going.
In conclusion, The Song of Old Joe Swallow is a timeless classic of Australian poetry. It tells the story of a man who has lived a long and hard life, and who has seen the world change around him. Despite his age and his hardships, however, Old Joe Swallow is still full of life and spirit. He is a man who has not given up, and who still has a lot to offer the world. The poem's use of language and its theme of resilience make it a powerful and inspiring piece of poetry, which is sure to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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