Author: Henry Lawson

---

    He has notions of Australia from the tales that hes been told, 
    Land of leggings and revolvers, land of savages and gold;
    So he begs old shirts, and someone patches up his worn-out duds.
    He is shipped as general servant, scrubbing pots and peeling spuds
    (In the steamers grimy alley, hating man and peeling spuds).

    There is little time to comfort, there is little time to cry, 
    He will come back with a fortune, Well be happy by-and-by!
    Scarcely time to kiss his sweetheart, barely time to change his duds,
    Ere they want him at the galley, and they set him peeling spuds
    (With a butchers knife, a bucket, and, say, half a ton of spuds).

    And he peels em hard to Plymouth, peels em fast to drown his grief,
    Peels em while his stomach sickens on the road to Teneriffe;
    Peels em while the donkey rattles, peels em while the engine thuds,
    By the time they touch at Cape Town hes a don at peeling spuds
    (And he finds some time for dreaming as he gets on with the spuds).

    In the steamers slushy alley, where the souls of men are dead,
    And the adjectives are crimson if the substances are red,
    Hes perhaps a college black-sheep, and, maybe, of ancient blood, 
    Ah! his devil grips him sometimes as he reaches for a spud
    (And he jerks his head and sadly gouges dry-rot from a spud).

    And his brave heart hopes and sickens as the weary days go round;
    There is lots o time for blue-lights ere they reach King Georges Sound.
    But he gets his best suit ready, two white shirts and three bone studs!
    He will face the new world bravely when hes finished with the spuds
    (And next week, perhaps, hell gladly take a job at peeling spuds).

    There were heroes in Australia went exploring long ago;
    There are heroes in Australia that the world shall never know;
    And the men we use for heroes in the land of droughts and floods
    Often win their way to Sydney scrubbing pots and peeling spuds
    (Plucky beggars! brave, poor devils! gouging dry-rot from their spuds).

---

Type of Poem: Ballad

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem, rich in vivid imagery and rhythmic verse, explores themes of aspiration, hardship, and the human spirit's resilience. The protagonist's journey to Australia, as depicted through his menial task of potato peeling aboard a ship, symbolizes the pursuit of dreams and the harsh realities that often accompany it. The repetition of the task, 'peeling spuds', underscores the monotony and hardship of his journey, yet it also symbolizes his determination and perseverance.

The poem's tone wavers between despair and hope, reflecting the character's internal struggle. The poet uses a contrast of grimy settings and the protagonist's high aspirations to paint a poignant picture of struggle and dreams. The play on colors—'crimson' and 'red'—adds a touch of grim realism to the depiction of hardship, while 'gold' signifies the lure of prosperity and adventure that Australia represents.

The structure of the poem, with its repetitive end lines, gives a sense of rhythm that mirrors the protagonist's ceaseless toiling. The final stanza elevates the humble potato peeler, aligning him with uncelebrated heroes, and reflecting on the often overlooked valor in everyday struggle. The ending appears to be both a salute to the unsung heroes and a reminder of the hardships they endure.

Throughout the poem, the poet employs various literary devices, such as repetition, metaphor, and vivid imagery, to create a vibrant narrative. The use of colloquial language and conversational tone makes the poem accessible, yet the depth of its themes and the beauty of its verse make it compelling and thought-provoking.