Old North Sydney

By Henry Lawson

Ballad
    They're shifting old North Sydney,     Perhaps tis just as well,     Theyre carting off the houses     Where the old folks used to dwell.     Where only ghosts inhabit     They lay the old shops low;     But the Spirit of North Sydney,     It vanished long ago.     The Spirit of North Sydney,     The good old time and style,     It camped, maybe, at Crows Nest,     But only for a while.     It left about the season,     Or at the time, perhaps,     When old Inspector Cotter     Transferred his jokes and traps.     A brand new crowd is thronging     The brand new streets aglow     Where the Spirit of North Sydney     Would gossip long ago.     They will not know to-morrow,     Tho twere but yesterday,     Exactly how McMahons Point     And its ferry used to lay.     The good old friendly spirit     Its sorrows would unfold,     When householders were neighbours     And shop-keeping was old;     But now were busy strangers,     Our feelings we restrain,     The Spirit of North Sydney     Shall never come again!

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Create Image

Transform this poem into a beautiful shareable image

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Ballads
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a nostalgic reflection on change and the loss of community spirit in North Sydney. It uses the metaphor of the "Spirit of North Sydney" to represent the past values, traditions, and camaraderie that the poet feels have been lost in the face of modernization and urban development. The recurring refrain of the "Spirit of North Sydney" generates a profound sense of longing for the past.

The tone of the poem is melancholic and wistful, effectively encapsulating the poet's lament for the loss of the old world charm and friendliness. The poem's structure, composed of four-line stanzas with an ABAB rhyme scheme, creates a rhythmic flow that mirrors the steady, inevitable march of change. The use of local references like Crows Nest and Inspector Cotter provides a sense of specificity and authenticity, grounding the abstract notion of a vanishing spirit in tangible realities.

In terms of literary devices, the poet employs personification, ascribing human traits to the "Spirit of North Sydney," thus making the abstract concept more relatable. The poem also utilizes imagery effectively, painting vivid pictures of old neighborhoods and their transformation, further emphasizing the theme of change.

In conclusion, this poem is a poignant commentary on the loss of community spirit due to urbanization and progress. It weaves together themes of change, loss, and nostalgia, using effective literary devices and a rhythmic structure to convey a powerful message about the impact of societal changes on local communities.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.