A Few Good Men – Australian Bush Balladeers

Their names are Lawson and Paterson and Gordon and Nielson and Hartigan… and many, many more. They are legends of literature. His words exemplify the spirit of all that is fine and good and real…on our great land ‘Down-under’. They shared the depth of their love for Australia and Australians, but their passion came from completely different perspectives of what they witnessed and experienced, often resulting in completely opposite creative expression.

HENRY LAWSON

– is the name that comes to mind for many when thoughts turn to Australian literature, particularly Ballads and Poetry. To say that the early years of Henry’s life were difficult is an understatement, understood as it was, of continual domestic quarrels. when her wandering father was sporadically ‘home’; an impoverished childhood with late education (up to age 9)-and even this complicated by his increasing deafness. Much of Henry’s life would be spent in the cities, including many visits to ‘The Bush’. And so his love of Australia and his renowned ‘collaboration’ would result in his creative works spanning both city and country, as would his ability to empathize and reflect on everyone’s problems. Although her stories began as a secondary genre to her poems, they would soon equal, if not surpass, his poetic expression. Many believe that the ‘rambling storyteller’ style of Henry’s short stories allowed even more freedom to express the essence of Bush and the ‘fighters’ in him, thus giving him a unique place as a creative writer in Australian, perhaps even world literature.

ANDREW BARTON ‘BANJO’ PATERSON

– She is equally popular in the hearts and minds of many, especially as the creator of ‘Waltzing Matilda’, the poem-turned-song that is considered by most to be the ‘unofficial Australian anthem’. And also, from the film ‘The Man from Snowy River’, created from the evocative imagery imagined by his moving poem of the same name. And ‘Clancy of the Overflow’-and ‘The Man From Ironbark’… these are just a few of her most popular creations. The list is astonishingly long: more than 222! Her point of view came from a completely different place, as he was a poet, lawyer, journalist, war correspondent, and soldier, as well as being a keen sportsman, with a focus on horsemanship. He spent much of his life in the interior, on horseback, and despite coming from a landed family of some social standing, he never lost sight of the battles the mountain people had to fight to conquer this unforgiving country. Or lose, despite his best efforts, against incredible odds. However, nothing could diminish her great love for her country and its brave ‘fighters’.

ADAM LINDSAY GORDON

– He came from a wealthy family compared to these other ‘Good Men’ – however, he too had difficulties to overcome – mainly genetic. The melancholic nature of his mother perhaps explained his recurrent depressive episodes (the last one ending in his suicide). And his controlling military father raised his son with stories of his exploits, his honor and daring, and her expectations that Adam would follow in his footsteps.

Despite, or perhaps because of this, he became a fearless yet accomplished horseman and, oddly enough, a wonderful poet with many poems credited to him. How ironic are the words of the stanza of the tombstone of the poem from him “Ye Wearie Walker(popular with a generation of Australian schoolchildren of the time):

Don’t ask, but live and work.

until the goal is won,

Helping every weak neighbor,

Seeking help from no one;

Life is mostly foam and bubbles,

Two things stand like stone –

Kindness in the problems of others,

value on your own.

PATRICK JOHN HARTIGAN

– It was the real name of its author alias ‘John O’Brien’. He was a monsignor…a Roman Catholic priest, born in New South Wales, Australia, to Irish parents. His point of view arose largely from his varied experiences: as an ordained priest, inspector of schools, curate, presiding priest and then parish priest in Narrandera, NSW, and finally as a student of Australian literature. life. His ministrations to his parishioners and his travels over a vast area would color his poetry, writings, and sermons, and give him a special understanding of the farmer and the formidable elements he faced and faced seasonally, indeed often daily. Although his famous poem, ‘Said Hanrahan’, is funny in the voice of its pessimistic main character, there is some truth to the ever-present and ever-impending possibility of doom and doom waiting just around the corner, IF the seasons fail. the promise of him Until one is a farmer, this is a concept almost impossible to understand. But PJ Hartigan was able not only to understand this, but more importantly to empathize and convincingly express the fears and doubts of the common man.

JOHN SHAW NEILSON

-Often known as ‘the green singer’ (because of his fondness for that color) and ‘the road repairman’ (due to his main occupation over the years), he wrote poetry that was a rare combination of spiritual and lyrical beauty. ..as he recounted the bitter battles the average man faced in this unforgiving land. Against personal odds, including – a desperately impoverished education; absence of education; working alongside his father when he was still a little boy; Facing the tragic deaths of two young sisters and working approximately 200 jobs in 30 years, he triumphed over all odds, with a constant stream of words portraying his love for his country. Even the rapid deterioration of his eyesight at age 30, resulting in an inability to read or write legibly, failed to stop or even slow him down. He made up for it by relying heavily on family and friends to transcribe the dictation of his poems. Perhaps his tombstone says it all:

it is calm without sorrow,

Peace without prayer:

It is a good country, without a doubt,

That country there.

And here are some ‘good men’ from Australian literature. They happen to be among the best our great country has ever produced. But there are many more. If by any chance you haven’t read a few works by these literary giants yet, do yourself a favor and look up their ballads and treat yourself. You’ll never regret it.