The Abbott and Palmer-cat

[David Campbell]

Good point, Neville...a lot of our favourite nursery rhymes began as commentary pieces, much like Dennis's work for the Herald. There are several internet sites that trace the origins of rhymes.

And Heather's right, if you're inclined towards parodies, nursery rhymes provide lots of fun, particularly with politics! Bobby Shafto's Gone To Sea is one that's ripe for a bit of messing around. For example:

Billy Shorten’s all at sea,
not sure where he wants to be,
can’t escape the past, you see,
faceless Billy Shorten!

Billy Shorten wants the prize,
but he has to compromise,
vacillates before our eyes,
flip-flop Billy Shorten!


Or, on the other side:

Tony Abbott’s on the nose,
when he lies that nose just grows,
cops abuse each place he goes,
two-faced Tony Abbott!

Tony Abbott rules the land,
sticks his head deep in the sand,
policies that should be canned,
backward Tony Abbott!

There are endless possibilities...

Cheers
David

[Neville Briggs]

I'm sure they are doing their best.

You mention Dennis. Did he write short verse like nursery rhymes for the Herald.

[David Campbell]

Short...long...Dennis wrote all sorts, Neville. He penned a series about Melbourne streets in 1929 that were relatively short, with a nursery-rhyme feel to them. Here's one:

Little Bourke Street

As I passed over Little Bourke
Where tiny shop-fronts line the way --
Quaint shops in whose bright windows lurk
Strange mysteries from far Cathay,
I passed a man clad all in blue,
Who went on gaily slippered feet.
And I was glad; for here I knew
The East and West may sometimes meet.

"Ha, John," said I. "Day welly ai'.
"You allee same sell muchee floot?"
His placid Oriental eye
Surveyed me coldly, head to boot.
Nought of insouciance, of pose,
Lost he, this man, cerulean clad,
Who said, as pencilled eyebrows rose,
"Are you quite mad?"

"Den"
Herald, 25 January 1929, p4

You can find the others at: http://www.middlemiss.org/lit/authors/d ... /1929.html

Cheers
David

[Neville Briggs]

Thanks David. Today someone would be getting itchy about " racism " in that. It's actually a tilt against prejudice.