Benjamin Bandicoot

Author: Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)

If you walk in the bush at night,
In the wonderful silence deep,
By the flickering lantern light
When the birds are all asleep
You may catch a sight of old Skinny-go-root,
Otherwise Benjamin Bandicoot.

With a snout that can delve and dig,
With claws that are strong as steel,
He roots like a pigmy pig
To get his evening meal,
For creeping creatures and worms and roots
Are highly relished by bandicoots.

Under the grass and the fern
He fashions his beaten track
With many a twist and turn
That wanders and doubles back,
And dogs that think they are most astute
Are baffled by Benjamin Bandicoot.

In the depth of the darkest night,
Without a star in the sky,
He'll come to look at a light,
And scientists wonder why:
If the bush is burning it's time to scoot
Is the notion of Benjamin Bandicoot.
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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 charming poem is a delightful exploration of nature and the habits of a bandicoot, a small nocturnal marsupial. The central theme revolves around the mysterious and fascinating behaviors of this creature, seemingly embodying the allure of the wild and the unknown. The tone is light, playful, and somewhat bemused, presenting a jovial and engaging portrait of the creature.

The structure of the poem, with its rhymed quatrains, provides a rhythmic, almost song-like quality, enhancing the playful tone and inviting the reader to join in this nocturnal exploration. Imagery and personification are key literary devices used here, with the bandicoot personified as 'Benjamin', humanizing the creature and making it more relatable. The use of the flickering lantern light, the darkness of the night, and the bush's silence create vivid imagery that transports the reader into the bandicoot's nocturnal world. The poet's use of alliteration, as in "Benjamin Bandicoot" and "roots like a pigmy pig", adds a musical quality to the poem, enhancing its whimsical nature. Through the bandicoot's story, the poem seems to subtly echo broader themes of survival, adaptability, and the mysteries of nature.

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.