Author: Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)

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         (Air: A fine old English gentleman.)


    Ill sing to you a fine new song, made by my blessed mate,
    Of a fine Australian squatter who had a fine estate,
    Who swore by right pre-emptive at a sanguinary rate
    That by his rams, his ewes, his lambs, Australia was made great
        Like a fine Australian squatter, one of the olden time.

    His hut around was hung with guns, whips, spurs, and boots and shoes,
    And kettles and tin pannikins to hold the tea he brews;
    And here his worship lolls at ease and takes his smoke and snooze,
    And quaffs his cup of hysouskin, the beverage old chums choose
        Like a fine Australian squatter, one of the olden time.

    And when shearing time approaches he opens hut to all,
    And though ten thousand are his flocks, he featly shears them all,
    Even to the scabby wanderer youd think no good at all;
    For while he fattens all the great, he boils down all the small
        Like a fine old Murray squatter, one of the olden time.

    And when his worship comes to town his agents for to see,
    His wool to ship, his beasts to sell, he lives right merrily;
    The club his place of residence, as becomes a bush J.P.,
    He darkly hints that Thompsons run from scab is scarcely free
        This fine old Murray settler, one of the olden time.

    And now his fortune he has made to England straight goes he,
    But finds with grief hes not received as he had hoped to be.
    His friends declare his habits queer, his language much too free,
    And are somewhat apt to cross the street when him they chance to see
        This fine Australian squatter, the boy of the olden time.

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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 paints a vivid portrait of a squatter, a type of early Australian settler, capturing the rugged self-sufficiency and isolation of life in the Australian outback. The recurring theme is the contrast between the perceived nobility and grit of the squatter's lifestyle and the harsh reality of his existence. The poet uses repetition and a robust rhyme scheme to underscore this tension, and the stanzas are structured around a consistent, folk-like refrain, which adds a sense of rhythm and continuity.

In terms of tone, the poem alternates between admiration and subtle critique. The squatter is depicted as a sort of rugged hero, a "fine Australian squatter, one of the olden time," self-reliant and tough, surrounded by symbols of his frontier life. However, the poem also offers a critique of the squatter's lifestyle, highlighting the harshness and brutality of his life, his alienation from society, and the ultimate futility of his efforts. The squatter's isolation is underscored by the recurring image of him alone in his hut, surrounded by his sheep and his tools. The final stanza offers a poignant critique of the squatter's aspirations and his eventual disillusionment, showing that despite his wealth, he remains an outsider. This juxtaposition of admiration and critique lends depth and complexity to the poem, as does the use of vivid, concrete imagery and colloquial language.