My Mate Bill

By Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)

Ballad
    Thats his saddle on the tie-beam,         And thems his spurs up there     On the wall-plate over yonder         You ken see they aint a pair.     For the daddy of all the stockmen         As ever come mustering here     Was killed in the flaming mulga,         A-yarding a bald-faced steer.     They say as hes gone to heaven,         And shook off all worldly cares     But I cant sight Bill in a halo         Set up on three blinded hairs.     In heaven! what next I wonder,         For strike me pink and blue,     If I see whatever in thunder         Theyll find for Bill to do.     Hed never make one of them angels,         With faces as white as chalk,     All wool to the toes like hoggets,         And wings like an eagle-hawk.     He couldnt arp for apples,         His voice had tones as jarred,     And hed no more ear than a bald-faced steer,         Or calves in a branding yard.     He could sit on a bucking brumbie         Like a nob in an easy chair,     And chop his name with a greenhide fall         On the flank of a flying steer.     He could show them saints in glory         The way that a fall should drop,     But sit on a thronenot William,         Unless they could make it prop.     He mightnt freeze to the seraphs,         Or chum with the cherubim,     But if ever them seraph johnnies         Get a-poking it like at him     Well! if theres hide in heaven,         And silk for to make a lash,     Hell yard em all in the Jasper Lake         In a blinded lightning flash.     If the heavenly hosts get boxed now,         As mobs most always will,     Wholl cut em out like William,         Or draft on a camp like Bill?     An orseman would find it awkward         At first with a push that flew,     But blame my cats if I know what else         Theyll find for Bill to do.     Its hard if there aint no cattle,         And perhaps theyll let him sleep,     And wake him up at the judgment         To draft those goats and sheep.     Its playing it low on William,         But perhaps hell buckle to,     To show them high-toned seraphs         What a Mulga man can do.     If they saddles a big-boned angel,         With a turn of speed, of course,     As can spiel like a four-year brumbie,         And prop like an old camp horse,     And puts Bill up with a snaffle,         A four or five inch spur,     And eighteen foot of greenhide         To chop the blinded fur     Hell yard them blamed Angoras         In a way that its safe to swear     Will make them tony seraphs         Sit back on their thrones and stare.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a unique blend of humor, affectionate tribute, and a critique of conventional religious notions. It celebrates the life of the rugged cattleman, Bill, presenting him as a definitive archetype of strength, courage, and rough-hewn charm. The poet uses the vernacular language of the stockmen, adding authenticity and a sense of place to the poem, while also creating a humorous contrast between the earthy reality of Bill's life and the ethereal, sanitized image of heaven.

The central theme of the poem is the idea of the misfit, someone whose characteristics make them ill-suited for certain environments—in this case, heaven. Using this theme, the poet subverts traditional religious depictions of heaven, suggesting that its tranquil serenity might not appeal to all. The humor is derived from the incongruity between Bill's rough-and-tumble nature and the angelic beings he is supposed to join. The poet's use of vivid imagery and raw, earthy language helps to underscore the contrast, as well as to paint a vivid portrait of Bill's life as a stockman.

The structure of the poem is consistent, following a rhymed verse pattern which gives it a rhythmic, ballad-like quality. This lends a sense of pace and action to the poem, reflecting the dynamic, adventurous life of its subject. The repeated questions about what Bill could possibly do in heaven serve to emphasize the poem's main theme, while also creating a sense of anticipation and curiosity.

Overall, this piece is an engaging, humorous exploration of the tension between the earthly and the divine, the rough and the refined, and the individual and the society. It challenges conventional notions, while also paying tribute to an unconventional hero.

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.