WHAT IS THE CORRECT VERSION

[mummsie]

I'm hoping someone here can point me to the correct version of Patersons "Lost".
In a version published by Angus & Robertson {originally printed 1921, reprint 1982} the last two lines of the fifth stanza read:

And a broken- hearted woman and an old man worn and white
Were searching all day in the ranges till the sundown brought the night.

In "Singer of the Bush"
And a broken-hearted woman and an old man worn and grey
Were searching all night in the ranges till the sunrise brought the day.

The latter is the version I'm leaning to, given that an earlier line reads:

The old man walked to the sliprail, and peered up the dark'ning track,
this tells me it was nearing dark and one would believe they searched through the night.

And in the last line the Angus and Robertson version reads: she had found her boy at last.
Singer of the Bush version: she had found the boy at last.

I have spent the last few days memorising this poem {from Singer of the Bush} and only just discovered the different version. I would like to make any correction before it sets too firmly in the old grey matter.

Cheers
Sue

[Bob Pacey]

The second one shows up in both books I have Sue. One is produced by his grandaughters if that helps.



Cheers Bob.

[Peely]

G'day Sue

From what I gather on looking at "Singer of the Bush", the publishers of that volume tried to keep to the original versions of Paterson's poems as much as possible. Some of Paterson's poetry was edited by his publisher without his approval and this is why they have done this. Page xix in the introduction mentions this. Paterson's first two volumes of poems though, "The Man from Snowy River and Other Verses" and "Rio Grande's Last Race and Other Verses" are printed with the editing that was made by the publisher, since Paterson was involved in the editing process and approved the changes made (also mentioned on page xix).

When I was learning "Lost", I had also noticed the differences between a couple of the books that I have. Personally, when I recite "Lost", I do it with the "old man worn and grey..." line. Chronologically speaking, it made the most sense to me as well (as you have discussed).

Otherwise, with the final line, I have to say I prefer the other version of that line (She had found her...) - it makes the woman's loss seem more personal (I might even recite it as that too, thinking about it).

I would go for the "Singer of the Bush" versions of the poems if you want the most accurate, based on what is mentioned in the introduction of that book.

Regards


John Peel

[mummsie]

Thank you Bob and John.
Like you John, I prefer the line 'she had found her boy at last' it definitely sounds more personal from a mothers perspective.
Given what you have told me John, I will stick with the "Singer of the bush" version.
Thanks for going to the trouble to answer my query.

Cheers
Sue

[Zondrae]

G'day all,

Thanks everyone for the questions and answers that are posted here. It is great to see some sensible discussion on poetry for a change. (Yes I admit that I am to blame sometimes for getting off the track. ) To add to the feeling of the piece... what do you think was the meaning? The first time I read this poem I took it to mean she found his remains but on later readings I got the feeling that the mother searched and searched until she died and 'found' the child in the next life. (Then again it could mean in her dreams.) Any comments? I know this is irrelevant to actually reciting the poem but I just wondered how other people thought. I have not come across the 'other' version.

[mummsie]

Hello Zondrae,
The second line in the last stanza tells us she is dead :
But she came not home one evening, and they found her lying dead,

and so from these lines we gather she found him in the hereafter:
And stamped on the poor pale features, as the spirit homeward pass'd
Was an angel smile of gladness_she had found her boy at last.

Finding traditional poetry thats suited to a woman is not that easy.
This is my sort of poem. Something with plenty of feeling that tells a story. I love it.

Cheers
Sue

[Zondrae]

G'day Sue,

That is why 'Jim's Whip' by Barcroft Boake is so popular. Lorraine McCrimmon said she is going to hunt out as many of Mary Gilmore and Dorothea Mackellar's poems as she can find and learn them.

[william williams]

Now, now. Marty if women were that fussy both you and I wouldn't be were we are now mate. An apart from that you don't have to be you know what to do soft sentimental performances that are full of feelings.. Go to it Sue.

bill the old battler

[mummsie]

Marty,
It's funny how men like to depict themselves as the tougher sex, but underneath that tough exterior there's a gentleness, it just takes a bit of digging to find it some times.
I've read a lot of your postings and your very good at funny, but every now and then you surprise me with a "more gentle" piece. Take "Reflections" in the writing workshop. A beautiful piece Marty.

The poem "Lost" tells both sides of the story. Life on the land in the late 1800's would have been tough by anyone's standards and many familys lost loved ones to the bush. But no matter how tough the women and men of the day were they still had to live with their loss, and as the poem depicts, this womans grieving was so heartfelt it caused her demise.

Cheers
Sue