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Notes
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Preface:
'The object of this selection from Australasian poetry is to interest young Australians in the literature of their own land. Australians fully appreciate the value of England's literature, which they possess in common with the mother country and her other children. The best English poetry is a magnificent treasury of noble thoughts in beautiful words which must always be a delight to the people of English speech wherever they may live. But among Australians there is also a growing interest in their own literature. They are finding that their brief history, though without the elements of traditional romance or the pomp and glamour of the histories of great nations, is rich in deeds of heroism, endurance and sacrifice; that their peaceful development from a handful of settlers into a nation is marked with romantic adventure, and that the country itself, which was at one time regarded as forbidding and melancholy, has its own beauties and sources of joy. Not all that is beautiful in our country and its history has yet been told in a memorable way, but some of these things have been recorded in poems appearing in this book.
'Most of the poetry of our first century naturally came from writers who were born in Great Britain or Ireland, and who, however much they may have been attracted by the strange features of a new land, looked back with regret to the familiar charms of their home country. The greatest of these was Adam Lindsay Gordon, a man of fine, chivalrous nature, a daring rider, and a lover of horses and horse-racing. Because of their virile, open-air spirit his stirring ballads have greatly influenced all subsequent writers about the bush. They are, indeed, the beginnings of our national poetry.
'The work of Henry Kendall, the best of our native-born poets, though lacking the strength and vigour of Gordon, shows a finer sense of melody and a warmer affection for Australia. It embodies, in graphic phrases, many impressions of the scenery, the birds and the flowers of our coastal districts.
'The majority of the later writers are Australian born, and their feeling towards their country is different from that of anyone born elsewhere. They have, as a rule, an intimate knowledge of some part of the large and varied continent of Australia and a confident belief in her future greatness.
'The subject matter of Australian poetry is not, of course, necessarily Australian. The essential thing, poetical quality, is not dependent on subject. If the Australian writes well of abstract or remote matters he may contribute as much to his country's literature as he whose theme is the kangaroo or the Eureka Stockade. So in this book "Australian" poetry means poetry relating to any Australian subject or written by an Australian.'
Contents
- National Anthem for Federated Australia An Australian Anthem An Australian National Anthemi"Maker of earth and sea,", single work poetry (p. 1)
- The Australian Flag The Flagi"Fling out the flag - our virgin flag,", single work poetry (p. 2-3)
- Magici"Crawling up the hillside,", single work poetry (p. 4-5)
- The Lark's Songi"The morning is wild and dark,", single work poetry (p. 6)
- The Wagtaili"Blithe sing the birds in England when the April lawns are wet,", single work poetry (p. 8-10)
- Picturesi"Rushes and heather around me,", single work poetry (p. 12)
- The Wattle Is a Lady : Three Part Song for Female Voices The Wattle Is a Lady, Frank Hutchens (composer), single work lyric/song (p. 17)
- A Ballad of the Roadi"It knows the never sleeping lanes", single work poetry (p. 18)
- Spring-Songi"Sing out and be happy!", single work poetry (p. 19-20)
- Over the Rangei"Little bush maiden, wondering-eyed,", single work poetry (p. 21)
- An Australian Cradle Songi"Over the hills and far away,", single work poetry children's fantasy (p. 22)
- A Trembling Stari"'There is my little trembling star,' she said.", single work poetry (p. 25-26)
- The Wind Childi"My folk's the wind-folk, its there I belong,", single work poetry (p. 27-28)
- After the Battlei"I can hear them call, but I cannot go,", single work poetry (p. 29-31)
- Where the Pelican Builds Her Nest Where the Pelican Buildsi"The horses were ready, the rails were down,", single work poetry (p. 32)
- The Song of Australiai"There is a land where summer skies", Carl Linger (composer), single work lyric/song (p. 33)
- Captain Cooki"O'er waves that rolled in wild unrest", single work poetry (p. 34)
- Anniversary Dayi"Drifting like some lost ship into the night", single work poetry (p. 35)
- Pioneersi"We are the old-world people,", single work poetry (p. 36)
- The Daylight Is Dyingi"The daylight is dying", single work poetry (p. 37-38)