The All Right Un

Author: Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)


He came from "further out",
That land of fear and drought
And dust and gravel.
He got a touch of sun,
And rested at the run
Until his cure was done,
And he could travel.

When spring had decked the plain,
He flitted off again
As flit the swallows.
And from that western land,
When many months were spanned,
A letter came to hand,
Which read as follows:

"Dear Sir, I take my pen
In hopes that all their men
And you are hearty.
You think that I've forgot
Your kindness, Mr Scott;
Oh, no, dear sir, I'm not
That sort of party.

"You sometimes bet, I know.
Well, now you'll have a show
The 'books' to frighten.
Up here at Wingadee
Young Billy Fife and me
We're training Strife, and he
Is a all right un.

"Just now we're running byes,
But, sir, first time he tries
I'll send you word of.
And running 'on the crook'
Their measures we have took;
It is the deadest hook
You ever heard of.

"So when we lets him go,
Why then I'll let you know,
And you can have a show
To put a mite on.
Now, sir, my leave I'll take,
Yours truly, William Blake,
P.S., Make no mistake,
He's a all right un.

*             *             *             *

By next week's Riverine
I saw my friend had been
A bit too cunning.
I read: "The racehorse Strife
And jockey William Fife
Disqualified for life,
Suspicious running."

But though they spoilt his game
I reckon all the same
I fairly ought to claim
My friend a white un.
For though he wasn't straight,
His deeds would indicate
His heart at any rate
Was "a all right un".

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 poem adeptly employs a narrative style, using a conversational tone to tell a story of a character from "further out," a land described as harsh and unforgiving. This character, who goes by the name of William Blake, embodies the theme of perseverance and resilience, having endured the harsh conditions of his homeland and later on, a scandal involving a racehorse named Strife.

The poem is structured into stanzas of varying lengths, which adds a dynamic rhythm to the narrative. The poet uses colloquial language and idioms that lend authenticity to the character's voice and background. This is seen in phrases like "I'm not that sort of party" and "he's a all right un."

There is also the use of humor and irony that run throughout the poem, particularly in the twist ending where despite the character's disqualification due to "suspicious running," the narrator still insists that his friend's heart was "a all right un." This serves to highlight the theme of loyalty and friendship, as well as the complexities of human nature.

In terms of literary devices, the poet uses metaphors ("land of fear and drought") and similes ("As flit the swallows") to paint vivid pictures and make comparisons. The repeated phrase "he's a all right un" serves as a refrain, reinforcing the character's resilience and the narrator's unwavering faith in him. Overall, the poem is a compelling narrative that explores themes of resilience, loyalty, and the intricacies of human nature, delivered in a conversational tone and enriched with humor and irony.

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.