Author: Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)

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    My name is old Jack Palmer,
        Im a man of olden days,
    And so I wish to sing a song
        To you of olden praise.
    To tell of merry friends of old
        When we were gay and young;
    How we sat and sang together
        Round the Old Keg of Rum.

                                 Chorus

         Oh! the Old Keg of Rum! the Old Keg of Rum!
         How we sat and sang together
             Round the Old Keg of Rum.

    There was I and Jack the plough-boy,
        Jem Moore and old Tom Hines,
    And poor old Tom the fiddler,
        Who now in glory shines;

    And several more of our old chums,
        Who shine in Kingdom Come,
    We all associated round the
        Old Keg of Rum.

                                 Chorus

         Oh! the Old Keg of Rum! the Old Keg of Rum!
         We all associated round the
             Old Keg of Rum.

    And when harvest time was over,
        And wed get our harvest fee,
    Wed meet, and quickly rise the keg,
        And then wed have a spree.
    Wed sit and sing together
        Till we got that blind and dumb
    That we couldnt find the bunghole
        Of the Old Keg of Rum.

                                 Chorus

         Oh! the Old Keg of Rum! the Old Keg of Rum!
         That we couldnt find the bunghole
             Of the Old Keg of Rum.

    Its jovially together, boys
        Wed laugh, wed chat, wed sing;
    Sometimes wed have a little row
        Some argument would bring.

    And oftimes in a scrimmage, boys,
        Ive corked it with my thumb,
    To keep the life from leaking
        From the Old Keg of Rum.

                                 Chorus

         Oh! the Old Keg of Rum! the Old Keg of Rum!
         To keep the life from leaking
             From the Old Keg of Rum.

    But when our spree was ended, boys,
        And waking from a snooze,
    For to give another drain
        The old keg would refuse.
    Wed rap it with our knuckles
        If it sounded like a drum,
    Wed know the life and spirit
        Had left the Old Keg of Rum.

                                 Chorus

         Oh! the Old Keg of Rum! the Old Keg of Rum!
         Wed know the life and spirit
             Had left the Old Keg of Rum.

    Those happy days have passed away,
        Ive seen their pleasures fade;
    And many of our good old friends
        Have with old times decayed.

    But still, when on my travels, boys,
        If I meet with an old chum,
    We will sigh, in conversation,
        Of the Grand Old Keg of Rum.

                                 Chorus

         Oh! the Old Keg of Rum! the Old Keg of Rum!
         We will sigh, in conversation,
             Of the Grand Old Keg of Rum.

    So now, kind friends, I end my song,
        I hope well meet again,
    And, as Ive tried to please you all,
        I hope you wont complain.
    You younger folks who learn my song,
        Will, perhaps, in years to come,
    Remember old Jack Palmer
        And the Old Rum Of Rum.

                                 Chorus

         Oh! the Old Keg of Rum! the Old Keg of Rum!
         Remember old Jack Palmer
             And the Old Keg of Rum.

---

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 narrative poem is an engaging and nostalgic recollection of camaraderie, youth, and revelry, all of which revolve around the symbolic "Old Keg of Rum." The poem is structured with a repeating chorus, a common feature of traditional ballads, which adds a rhythmic and musical quality to the piece.

The theme of the passage of time is prevalent throughout the work, with the protagonist, old Jack Palmer, reflecting on his youth and the friends of his past. The tone of the poem veers between jovial reminiscence and melancholy nostalgia, capturing the bittersweet nature of fond memories from a bygone era.

The "Old Keg of Rum" is a central symbol used throughout the poem, serving as a metaphorical anchor for the characters' shared experiences and memories. It represents not just the literal merriment derived from its contents, but also the spirit of companionship, shared joy, and even shared disputes, all of which are part of the human experience.

Moreover, the poet's choice of rustic language and character names like "Jack the plough-boy," "Jem Moore," and "old Tom Hines" conveys a sense of authenticity and situates the poem within a rural, working-class setting. The repeated references to singing also suggest a communal, oral tradition.

In conclusion, this piece is an evocative exploration of nostalgia, friendship, and the passage of time, using the powerful symbolism of the "Old Keg of Rum" to encapsulate the shared experiences of a bygone era. The poet's use of a repeating chorus and rustic language enhances the authentic, communal feel of the poem, making it a compelling example of narrative poetry.