Will Yer Write It Down For Me?

Author: Henry Lawson

    In the parlour of the shanty where the lives have all gone wrong,
    When a singer or reciter gives a story or a song,
    Where the poets heart is speaking to their hearts in every line,
    Till the hardest curse and blubber at the thoughts of Auld Lang Syne;
    Then a boozer lurches forward with an oath for all disguise, 
    Prayers and curses in his soul, and tears and liquor in his eyes, 
    Grasps the singer or reciter with a death-grip by the hand:
    Thats the truth, bloke! Sling it at em! Oh! Gorblime, that was grand!
    Dont mind me; Ive got em. You know! Whats yer name, bloke! Dont yer see?
    Whos the bloke what wrote the potry? Will yer write it down fer me?
    And the backblocks bard goes through it, ever seeking as he goes
    For the line of least resistance to the hearts of men he knows;
    And he tracks their hearts in mateship, and he tracks them out alone, 
    Seeking for the power to sway them, till he finds it in his own,
    Feels what they feel, loves what they love, learns to hate what they condemn,
    Takes his pen in tears and triumph, and he writes it down for them.
Send via Email Share via WhatsApp Share on X

Type of Poem: Narrative Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: The poem is a vivid depiction of the human condition’s rawness and the power of poetry to reflect and evoke profound emotions. The setting of a shanty parlour, a place where "lives have all gone wrong," introduces the theme of struggle and resilience. The poet employs a conversational tone that enhances the authenticity of this environment, amplifying the sense of camaraderie and shared human experience.

The structure is linear and narrative, unfolding a scene where a singer or reciter stirs deep emotions in the listeners to the point of tears through their performance. The poet makes effective use of imagery, such as a "boozer lurches forward" with a mix of "prayers and curses in his soul," and "tears and liquor in his eyes" to demonstrate the power of words to touch even the most hardened hearts. The poem also explores the theme of identity and the quest for understanding and connection through the persona of the "backblocks bard." The bard, representative of the poet, strives to understand the hearts of his audience, to feel what they feel and love what they love, ultimately finding the power to sway them in his own experiences and emotions. The poem ends with a powerful image of the bard taking his "pen in tears and triumph" to write for his audience, emphasizing the transformative power of poetry and its ability to mirror and shape human experience.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.