Driver Smith

By Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)

Narrative Poem
'Twas Driver Smith of Battery A was anxious to see a fight; He thought of the Transvaal all the day, he thought of it all the night, "Well, if the battery's left behind, I'll go to the war," says he, "I'll go a-driving and ambulance in the ranks of the A.M.C. "I'm fairly sick of these here parades, it's want of a change that kills, A-charging the Randwick Rifle Range and aiming at Surry Hills. And I think if I go with the ambulance I'm certain to find a show, For they have to send the Medical men wherever the troops can go. "Wherever the rifle bullets flash and the Maxims raise a din, It's here you'll find the Medical men a-raking the wounded in, A-raking 'em in like human flies, and a driver smart like me Will find some scope for his extra skill in the ranks of the A.M.C." So Driver Smith he went to war a-cracking his driver's whip, From ambulance to collecting base they showed him his regular trip. And he said to the boys that were marching past, as he gave his whip a crack, "You'll walk yourselves to the fight," says he, "Lord spare me, I'll drive you back." Now the fight went on in the Transvaal hills for the half of a day or more, And Driver Smith he worked his trip, all aboard for the seat of war! He took his load from the stretcher men and hurried 'em homeward fast Till he heard a sound that he knew full well, a battery rolling past. He heard the clink of the leading chains and the roll of the guns behind, He heard the crack of the drivers' whips, and he says to 'em, "Strike me blind, I'll miss me trip with this ambulance, although I don't care to shirk, But I'll take the car off the line today and follow the guns at work." Then up the Battery Colonel came a-cursing 'em black in the face. "Sit down and shift 'e,, you drivers there, and gallop 'em into place." So off the Battery rolled and swung, a-going a merry dance, And holding his own with the leading gun goes Smith with his ambulance. They opened fire on the mountain side, a-peppering by and large, When over the hill above their flank the Boers came down at the charge; They rushed the guns with a daring rush, a-volleying left and right, And Driver Smith and his ambulance moved up to the edge of the fight. The gunners stuck to their guns like men, and fought as the wild cats fight, For a Battery man don't leave his gun with ever a hope in sight; But the bullets sang and the Mausers cracked and the Battery men gave away, Till Driver Smith with his ambulance drove into the thick of the fray. He saw the head of the Transvaal troop a-thundering to and fro, A hard old face with a monkey beard, a face that he seemed to know; "Now who's that leader?" said Driver Smith. "I've seen him before today. Why, bless my heart, but it's Kruger's self," and he jumped for him straight away. He collared old Kruger round the waist and hustled him into the van. It wasn't according to stretcher drill for raising a wounded man; But he forced him in and said, "All aboard, we're off for a little ride, And you'll have the car to yourself," says he, "I reckon we're full inside." He wheeled his team on the mountain side and set 'em a merry pace, A-galloping over the rocks and stones, and a lot of the Boers gave chase; Bur Driver Smith had a fairish start, and he said to the Boers, "Good-day, You have Buckley's chance for to catch a man that was trained in Battery A." He drove his team to the hospital bed and said to the P.M.O., "Beg pardon, sir, but I missed the trip, mistaking the way to go; And Kruger came to the ambulance and asked could we spare a bed, So I fetched him here, and we'll take him home to show for a bob a head." So the word went round to the English troops to say they need fight no more, For Driver Smith with his ambulance had ended the blooming war. And in London now at the music halls he's starring it every night, And drawing a hundred pounds a week to tell how he won the fight.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This narrative poem is set during a war, specifically referencing the Transvaal, which suggests the historical context of the Boer War. The protagonist, Driver Smith, is at first eager to see combat, speaking of his desire to be involved in the action rather than just transporting the wounded. The tone is somewhat casual and conversational, which contrasts with the serious subject matter, making the poem accessible while still conveying the harsh reality of war.

The poem is structured in rhymed quatrains, which helps to carry the narrative forward with rhythm and momentum. Driver Smith's journey from a restless transport driver to a heroic figure who captures an enemy leader, said to be "Kruger" (a probable reference to Paul Kruger, a prominent Boer leader), forms the crux of the poem. Smith's audacious act is humorously framed as an 'accident', adding an element of satire to the poem.

The use of colloquial language and Australian references (like Randwick Rifle Range, Surry Hills, and Buckley's chance) lend authenticity to the narrator's voice and ground the poem in a specific cultural context. The poet also uses vivid imagery and metaphor, such as "raking 'em in like human flies," to emphasize the grim realities of war. The poem ends with a touch of irony as Smith is portrayed as a performer at a music hall, profiting from his war story, which further underscores the satire and critical commentary of the poem.

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.