The Free Selector

By Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)

Ballad
         (A Song of 1861.)     Ye sons of industry, to you I belong,     And to you I would dedicate a verse or a song,     Rejoicing oer the victory John Robertson has won     Now the Land Bill has passed and the good time has come          Now the Land Bill, &c.     No more with our swags through the bush need we roam     For to ask of another there to give us a home,     Now the land is unfettered and we may reside     In a home of our own by some clear waterside.          In a home of our own, &c.     On some fertile spot which we may call our own,     Where the rich verdure grows, we will build up a home.     There industry will flourish and content will smile,     While our children rejoicing will share in our toil.          While our children, &c.     We will plant our garden and sow our own field,     And eat from the fruits which industry will yield,     And be independent, what we long for have strived,     Though those that have ruled us the right long denied.          Though those that have ruled us, &c.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem, subtitled as "A Song of 1861," primarily explores the themes of freedom, labor, and ownership. The speaker addresses the "sons of industry," signifying workers who are typically tied to manual labor. The tone is celebratory and optimistic, reflecting on the victory of passing the Land Bill, a historical event that presumably allowed these laborers to own and cultivate land.

The poem is structured in quatrains, with a refrain at the end of each stanza, a common feature in songs and ballads. This structure contributes to the poem's rhythm and reinforces key ideas. The recurring line “Now the Land Bill, &c.” underscores the importance of this legislation and its transformative impact on the workers' lives. Meanwhile, the repeated phrase “In a home of our own, &c.” emphasizes the cherished notion of owning land and having a place to call home.

A standout literary device used is the imagery of the home and fertile land, symbolizing prosperity and stability resulting from the workers' efforts. The poem also employs anaphora, the repetition of phrases at the beginning of successive lines, such as “We will plant our garden and sow our own field,” to stress the power and independence that come with land ownership. The poem concludes on a note of triumph over those who had previously denied these rights, suggesting a socio-political commentary on class struggles and the importance of equitable land distribution. Overall, the poem serves as an ode to labor, freedom, and the transformative power of land ownership.

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.