The Spoken Word in Bush Poetry

[Gary Harding]

I don't know if anyone reading this series of posts is interested in Australian Bush/Folk/Traditional music but occasionally one can happily stumble upon a rarity like this one.

All the purist-approved acoustic instruments are used.

Such Bush Bands performed bush poetry recitations too because that was sort of the scene then... at least as I recall it.


...for interest, I will post Rough Bark Bush Band recorded around late 1988, in Launceston and Hobart, Tasmania. Some of the tracks may be familiar??

I have heard that cassettes are starting to become popular again.

I find that the darn things get sticky with age and even FF/REV the tape first when trying to save them to a stick, one still sweats that they will not tangle up in the machine which is usually fatal to the tape.

Has anyone else had the same experience with old cassettes? Unlike vinyl, they get notably frail with age and require more care.. FWIW

[Gary Harding]

Tex Morton ..... Bush Poet

Tex Morton (1916 - 1983) was a versatile and talented singer/showman, perhaps still remembered by some ABPA members.
He was a New Zealander originally.

Tex has always been a sentimental favourite of mine.

The more one delves into his life, the more significant a figure and contributor he appears. He is also a bush poet.

Graham my neighbour who is getting on in years can remember him coming to Maryborough to do a show. He recalls him being a sharp-shooter. Both Graham and his father (who performed at travelling shows) could do the double-handed triple whip-crack.

As a young person in Melbourne, I went to a lively pool party and took a few records to help supply the music. One track I put on as a novelty was The Cat Came Back on a Tex Morton LP. It was an instant hit with the song being replayed several times while thirty extremely "merry" people around and in the pool joined together in the chorus. Very memorable.

Tex met Banjo Paterson at the races. He records this event in 1969 and it is in fact presented in one of our displays.

Anyway enough history etc... !!

The point is.... Tex was a man of many talents, one of which was Bush Poetry, inspired obviously by Banjo whose poems (with Banjo's permission) he recited and composed music for.

Here is a poem by Tex Morton that brings together "The Flying Doctor" and the world of bush poetry. It is recorded in his "Tex Morton Souvenir Songbook No 6 1942" from my collection (shown)

Tex and Ned Kelly

Notably included in this No 6 Songbook is "The Ned Kelly Song". Having sung it on stage a number of times before, I had no idea of its origin until now, so am delighted to have discovered its author. "Ned Kelly was born in a ramshackle hut etc " This is a waltz... and after the song, the music was continued such that people could get a partner and waltz around the floor. Memories.

"Anyone who is anyone" has written or attempted to write a Ned Kelly poem or song!

I think that in a literary and cultural sense, such songbooks are significant documents ... and more so if their contents are brought to life, as we are doing.

"And the Nation said, as it went to bed -
If any can save that man.
If he's still alive, if he could survive
The Flying Doctor can ! " .... Tex Morton

Being lazy, I am not going to transcribe this remarkable poem. To see the words, simply click on the image below, scanned on my machine and presented for the interest of friends here who also enjoy bush poetry.

[Gary Harding]

Have you ever bought something just because you have always wanted it??

Not an impulsive purchase or buying from any particular need. Not logical, justifiable or necessarily sensible.

I have a collection of musical instruments and many of these relate to Bush Bands. Just "having" an instrument, even if one has no idea how to play it, I find still imparts a feeling of power when you simply own it.

My mate Gary C. from the old bush band days originally decided to learn the bodhran (Irish hand-drum) to add to his talents on the bush bass and vocals. I was a bit envious because I had always thought of doing it, but...

Years ago, I grabbed an old $5 one from a garage sale. No beater (stick). No nothing.... it had a slightly ripped goat's skin.

Then the chance came last week to purchase one locally (Waltons make).. near new, incl. 3 different beaters, case, skin-maintenance spray, and two how-to books for Beginners with DVD's. The whole lot was $120.
In the photo, the line of slight discolouration across the centre of the skin is the mark left by the goat's backbone.. and not a fault.

An excellent deal, so very happy.

Will I ever learn to play it properly?? Not really.

But a gut feel tells me that somehow, someway it will earn its keep...

For an example of bodhran playing ... by Paddy Homan.. The Rising Of The Moon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAtjMGvYOmM

And also.... the guy at the back next to the drums, with the Irish Rovers performing Finnegan's Wake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuSZ0MKoUBA

[Gary Harding]

Next in line for some restoration is this fabulous little beauty. On the bench it goes!

It was gifted to me yet again by my mate Dave from the UltraMusic shop here in Hervey Bay. It has significant age.. and best of all it has clearly had a lot of use! Perhaps Banjo Paterson himself played it??

I want to preserve the aged aspect, so will minimise rework. Making it look "near new" is counter-productive I think.

A replacement fret-dot for the missing one. Loosen up the keys without damaging them, reposition and attach the bridge ... general clean-up and re-string.

It will be a fun exercise... hopefully producing something that the poetic Master himself would have been pleased with.

[Catherine Lee]

Fantastic finds here, Gary! These instruments are very special indeed and amazing gems to have in your collection. A friend of mine plays both the bodhran and ukelele - I don't know anyone who plays the banjo but this one is clearly a real treasure and you will glean immense satisfaction and pleasure from working on it whilst honouring its age and history...Also, thanks for the sudden "blast from the past" memory in my head with the mention of Tex Morton - oh my gosh yes, I well remember The Cat Came Back song from childhood...."The cat came back the very next day; they thought he was a goner but the cat came back - he couldn't stay away!"

[Gary Harding]

Catherine, for interest here is a cased flute that I found buried under some boxes.

No real idea where I got it originally, but likely a garage sale for not much I seem to recall..

Barry George was a flute player plus penny whistle, recorder, slide whistle, banjo a bit and other things. Also an excellent vocalist.

He used to lead the Shearer's Tally Bush Band when we started and he was a brilliant musician (classically trained) and a terrific and kind personality too.

A long time ago, but doubtless I bought this instrument for its sentimental connection to that very happy musical time when life was a whirlwind of playing at different places. Yes, Tex Morton was very accomplished (more later) and being originally a New Zealander like yourself, I am not surprised that you are very familiar with him.

One day I will assemble this flute and be adventurous enough to see if it works. One day....

[Catherine Lee]

Wow, that's another gem, Gary! The mind boggles had just how many very special items you have collected over the years!

[Gary Harding]

My previous post raises the major question..

Q. Did Banjo Paterson actually play the banjo?

We might begin the story...

If anyone recalls the TV series The Rifleman with Chuck Connors and his devastating burst of fire from the hip at the start, and rifle spin, at the 5min 15sec mark..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPSiVBweSv8

I have managed to (conceptually) work on combining a banjo with a famous 1892 Winchester lever-action rifle (cut-off stock) . On paper - not real, at least not yet. The proper enlarged-loop lever is not illustrated.

One might contemplate Banjo Paterson traveling the wild west part of Queensland (or Central Australia) in pursuit of law and order, armed with this rather sneaky weapon.... not an Aussie gunslinger exactly, or even a sheriff.. but a legend nevertheless.
Carrying his deadly banjo...reciting his bush ballads... .and cutting a swathe through the bad guys of the outback... and certain lawless towns. Who would dare to tell him they did not like his bush ballads? The Man From Snowy River etc

When Banjo Paterson opened up with this devastating rifle-banjo weapon, he could totally shred a Queensland bar-room "Rifleman-style" in only 20 seconds.. Reduce it to matchwood and scrap glass.

Bushrangers and other Jesse James styled outlaws would have had no chance against the infamous Banjo Paterson.
Comparatively speaking, illiterate Rambo with his belt-fed toys was a wimp.

As one young lady once said to him : You know, I have never met a Poet who is so... violent. Don't misunderstand me though... I love violence... in the right situation. (blushing)

Banjo Paterson (responding) : Miss, I started killing cockroaches when I was five years old and things sorta got a bit out of hand after that. Aborigines taught me when a cockroach attacks you, you gotta protect yourself...and when a man attacks you, you reach for whatever you can find to defend yourself... gun, boomerang, knife or spear... or banjo. Killed quite a few of those pesky roaches with this baby.. (pats his banjo). It's a good friend if it's used right.

So did Paterson play the banjo.... ?? Absolutely he did..!! ..... and don't let anyone tell you any different.

It was a very special instrument though. Like this modified one in the photo below...

Rumour has it that he had at least six notches on the neck.

Thanks to printer.. scissors and tape.. and some creativity of course

Why not come along and meet him.. ? .... as long as you don't work for Government Arts, or Tourism or PM's dept etc.. you should be safe.

ONLY and uniquely found here at The Australian Cultural Centre ... no copiers.

Hi Yo Silver.. !!!

PS. Please don't try this at home .....

[Gary Harding]

Banjo Paterson was of course also a very Sensitive man, as clearly evidenced by the following extract :

The Bush Burial

Beautiful evening bush scene. Kookaburras in the distance

Young Overseer (walking slowly side-by-side with Paterson to the gravesite) : I am sure she would have appreciated this; coming from someone like yourself, I mean. In this part of Australia, you leave this world and nobody notices.(He partially breaks down) She was ...a lady. (Banjo places his arm around his shoulder to comfort him)

Paterson : Cheer up, old man. You are sending her on in the best way you can ...come on, let's attend to it.

They arrive at the grave. A modest mound in the bush.. a sense of loneliness.. a dot in the Australian expanse. Banjo stands hat-less, head slightly bowed. Overseer kneels down, bends over the mound, and lays a bunch of red and white roses on it.

Paterson (clears his throat and commences to speak. One then begins to get a feel for his literary greatness.) : For the ways of God are many and we mortals cannot know His Reasons. A life taken too early, a lady lost to the vastness of this wide land. Greater or lesser souls we may be while we tread upon this earth but God welcomes us all as equals and holds us in His kind embrace forever.

Banjo then arranges some sheets of paper, begins to read :

Roses ruddy and roses white,
What are the joys that my heart discloses.
Sitting alone in the fading light
Memories come to me here tonight
With the wonderful scent of the big red roses.

Only her memory lives tonight —
God in his wisdom her young life closes;
Over her grave may the turf be light,
Cover her coffin with roses white —
She was always fond of the big white roses.

Such are the visions that fade away —
Man proposes and God disposes;
Look in the glass and I see to-day
Only an old man, worn and grey,
Bending his head to a bunch of roses.

(Lowers his sheets of paper).

Together : Amen.

Paterson : The humblest graves can shelter the best of us.

Young Overseer is still upset and being comforted by Banjo.The two men turn and walk silently back to the homestead with their own thoughts. It is now getting dark and a lantern on the post has been lit, illuminating the scene where they part company.

Overseer : "Man proposes and God disposes". Beautiful words Mr. Paterson. I am grateful, and she would have been too. Would it be asking too much to have something of your words about roses.. ?

Paterson takes the first page and passes it over. The Overseer places it under the lantern-light. Examines it such that it can be seen as genuine. (an original, from my Collection)

Overseer : I'm sure your stay with us will be a happy one. Tomorrow I am off for a ride to check the dingo traps. Thank you for these words. I have a feeling this (indicating sheet of paper) will still be around in a hundred years ...

(The men shake hands)

Paterson : Good night. It has been a long day.