In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses

by Henry Lawson

The world is narrow and ways are short, and our lives are dull and slow, For little is new where the crowds resort, and less where the wanderers go; Greater, or smaller, the same old things we see by the dull road-side - And tired of all is the spirit that sings of the days when the world was wide. When the North was hale in the march of Time, and the South and the West were new, And the gorgeous East was a pantomime, as it seemed in our boyhood's view; When Spain was first on the waves of change, and proud in the ranks of pride, And all was wonderful, new and strange in the days when the world was wide. Then a man could fight if his heart were bold, and win if his faith were true - Were it love, or honour, or power, or gold, or all that our hearts pursue; Could live to the world for the family name, or die for the family pride, Could fly from sorrow, and wrong, and shame in the days when the world was wide. They sailed away in the ships that sailed ere science controlled the main, When the strong, brave heart of a man prevailed as 'twill never prevail again; They knew not whither, nor much they cared - let Fate or the winds decide - The worst of the Great Unknown they dared in the days when the world was wide. They raised new stars on the silent sea that filled their hearts with awe; They came to many a strange countree and marvellous sights they saw. The villagers gaped at the tales they told, and old eyes glistened with pride - When barbarous cities were paved with gold in the days when the world was wide. 'Twas honest metal and honest wood, in the days of the Outward Bound, When men were gallant and ships were good - roaming the wide world round. The gods could envy a leader then when 'Follow me, lads!' he cried - They faced each other and fought like men in the days when the world was wide. They tried to live as a freeman should - they were happier men than we, In the glorious days of wine and blood, when Liberty crossed the sea; 'Twas a comrade true or a foeman then, and a trusty sword well tried - They faced each other and fought like men in the days when the world was wide. The good ship bound for the Southern seas when the beacon was Ballarat, With a 'Ship ahoy!' on the freshening breeze, 'Where bound?' and 'What ship's that?' - The emigrant train to New Mexico - the rush to the Lachlan Side - Ah! faint is the echo of Westward Ho! from the days when the world was wide. South, East, and West in advance of Time - and, ay! in advance of Thought Those brave men rose to a height sublime - and is it for this they fought? And is it for this damned life we praise the god-like spirit that died At Eureka Stockade in the Roaring Days with the days when the world was wide?

Genres: Poetry

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1896

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Henry Lawson was an Australian writer and poet. Along with his contemporary Banjo Paterson, Lawson is among the best-known Australian poets and fiction writers of the colonial period and is often called Australia's "greatest writer".[1] He was the son of the poet, publisher and feminist Louisa Lawson.
For more info see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_La... .

Reviews

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been composing this review in my mind while reading this ...

Firstly, Henry Lawson is an important part of Australia's literary heritage and his poetry is studied in schools as such. I enjoyed the vast majority of the poetry and enjoyed 'reading' (as in, out loud) each poem. They reflect events and lifeways that were part of the development of modern Australia. That said, they reflect the time/place in which he lived and the language choices and attitudes do as well. That means there are a few poems containing language and terms that would, today, be shocking or deeply offensive to people. One term in particular is used in both a negative way and as merely a naming word for Australia's First Nations peoples. I am not saying it is a good word, just acknowledging that it was the way in which some (white) Australians referred to them at that time.

I am also conscious that we twenty-first readers are using twenty-first language that may not be acceptable 100 years from now, though I always endeavour to be respectful and appropriate in my word choices. Keeping that in mind, I highly recommend all of the poems in this book but suggest skipping over the highly jingoistic 1918 introduction reproduced in this edition.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad I picked this up and gave Lawson a try! I have never felt a desire to visit Australia- land where everything can kill you- until I read some of Lawson's poetry describing the land. So many of the poems moved me- tugged on my heart, made me smile- there were a few that missed for me, but they were very few and far between. Some of the best poetry I've read in some time is in here, the rhythm and rhyme of each one was strong and lyrical. I think I’ll happily pick up more of Lawson- poetry and prose, and probably do some research into him as well.

[Frankie Fyffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a bit over the course of a month. It was great to know I knew a couple of his poems without knowing they were his. After reading all the verses you get a sense of what kind of life he led. Although times have changed his words won’t lost on me. A very good writer. Worth a read.