Wallabi Joe

By Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)

Ballad
         (Air: The Mistletoe Bough.)     The saddle was hung on the stockyard rail,     And the poor old horse stood whisking his tail,     For there never was seen such a regular screw     As Wallabi Joe, of Bunnagaroo;     Whilst the shearers all said, as they say, of course,     That Wallabi Joes a fine lump of a horse;     But the stockmen said, as they laughed aside,     Hed barely do for a Sundays ride.          Chorus: Oh! poor Wallabi Joe.                          Ooh! poor Wallabi Joe.     Im weary of galloping now, he cried,     I wish I were killed for my hide, my hide;     For my eyes are dim, and my back is sore,     And I feel that my legs wont stand much more.     Now stockman Bill, who took care of his nag,     Put under the saddle a soojee bag,     And off he rode with a whip in his hand     To look for a mob of the R.J. brand.          Chorus: Oh! poor Wallabi Joe, &c.     Now stockman Bill camped out that night,     And he hobbled his horse in a sheltered bight;     Next day of old Joe he found not a track,     So he had to trudge home with his swag on his back.     He searched up and down every gully he knew,     But he found not a hair of his poor old screw,     And the stockmen all said as they laughed at his woe,     Would you sell us the chance of old Wallabi Joe.          Chorus: Oh! poor Wallabi Joe, &c.     Now as years sped by, and as Bill grew old,     It came into his head to go poking for gold;     So away he went with a spade in his fist,     To hunt for a nugget among the schist.     One day as a gully he chanced to cross,     He came on the bones of his poor old horse;     The hobbles being jammed in a root below     Had occasioned the death of poor Wallabi Joe.          Chorus: Oh! poor Wallabi Joe, &c.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Ballads
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem tells an engaging narrative of the life of Wallabi Joe, a workhorse, and his caretaker, Stockman Bill, set in a rural, stock-raising locale. The themes of work, companionship, and loss are interwoven throughout the piece, emphasized by the repetition of the lamenting chorus, "Oh! poor Wallabi Joe." The author uses a simplistic rhyming scheme, ABAB, to maintain a rhythmic flow, which mirrors the steady, humble life of the characters.

The tone of the poem is poignant yet light-hearted. It explores the harsh realities of life and work for both the horse and the stockman, ultimately culminating in the tragic end of Wallabi Joe, but it does so in a way that feels natural in the context of their hardworking lifestyle. The use of colloquial language and local references, like "Bunnagaroo" and "R.J. brand," ground the story in its setting and add authenticity. The repeated chorus serves as a refrain, reinforcing the narrative's emotional undercurrent. The final discovery of Wallabi Joe's bones by Stockman Bill adds a layer of dramatic irony and a sense of cyclical fate—two lives inextricably linked, even in death. The poem employs the literary devices of narrative storytelling and repetition to create a picturesque, emotionally resonant folk tale.

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.