Banjo Paterson Complete Poems

by A.B. Paterson

Banjo Paterson is one of Australia’s best-loved poets and his verse is among Australia’s enduring traditions. This complete collection of verse shows the bush balladeer at his very best with favorites such as "A Bush Christening," "The Man from Ironbark," "Clancy of the Overflow," and the immortal "The Man from Snowy River."

A.B. Banjo Paterson was born in Australia in 1864 and wrote poetry and fiction from 1900 until his death in 1941.

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Australia, Literature, Classics

480 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson was an Australian poet, ballad writer, journalist and horseman. See also Banjo Paterson.

A. B. 'Banjo' Paterson, known as Barty to his family, was born Andrew Barton Paterson at Narrambla, near Orange on 17 February 1864. His parents, Andrew Bogle and Rose Isabella Paterson were graziers on Illalong station in the Yass district.

Paterson's early education took place at home under a governess and then at the bush school in Binalong, the nearest township. From about the age of ten years he attended the Sydney Grammar School. He lived with his grandmother in Gladesville and spent the school holidays at Illalong station with his family.

After completing school the 16-year-old Paterson was articled to a Sydney firm of solicitors, Spain and Salway. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1886 and formed the legal partnership, Street and Paterson. During these years Paterson began publishing verse in the Bulletin and Sydney Mail under the pseudonyms 'B' and 'The Banjo'.

In 1895, at the age of 31 and still in partnership with Street, Andrew Barton Paterson achieved two milestones in Australian writing. He composed his now famous ballad 'Waltzing Matilda' and his first book, The Man from Snowy River, and other verses, was published by Angus & Robertson, marking the beginning of an epoch in Australian publishing. This hallmark publication sold out its first edition within a week and went through four editions in six months, making Paterson second only to Kipling in popularity among living poets writing in English. His poetry continues to sell well today and is available in many editions, some of which are illustrated.

Paterson travelled to South Africa in 1899 as special war correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald during the Boer War, and to China in 1901 with the intention of covering the Boxer Rebellion but he arrived after the uprising was over. By 1902 Paterson had left the legal profession. The following year he was appointed Editor of the Evening News (Sydney), a position he held until 1908 when he resigned to take over a property in Wee Jasper.

In 1903 he married Alice Walker in Tenterfield. Their first home was in Queen Street, Woollahra. The Patersons had two children, Grace born in 1904 and Hugh born in 1906.

During World War I Paterson sailed to Europe hoping for an appointment as war correspondent. Instead, during the course of the war he was attached as an ambulance driver to the Australian Voluntary Hospital in France and was commissioned to the 2nd Remount Unit of the AIF. He was eventually promoted to Major.

In Australia again he returned to journalism, retiring in 1930. He was created CBE in 1939. At the time of his death on 5 February 1941 his reputation as the principal folk poet of Australia was secure. His body of work included seven volumes of poetry and prose in many editions, a collection The Collected Verse of A.B. Paterson (1923), a book for children The Animals Noah Forgot (1933), and an anthology The Old Bush Songs (1905), in addition to his many pieces of journalism and reportage.

Paterson's role in Australian culture has been celebrated on the Australian $10 note.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu5byI...

Reviews

[jaz ₍ᐢ. ̫.ᐢ₎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

an iconic collection of prose and poems, loved every part of this

[David Aiken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lawson's contemporary and equal. Incredible body of work. Portrays a foregone era of heavily romanticized and mythologicalized Australian life. Much has changed, but much remains familiar

[Ravanagh Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite poet (which isn’t saying much). It helps to be Australian. Some great stuff in here — humorous, musical.

[Lewis Woolston · Rating 5 out of 5]

So when i was a kid at school, way back when Dinosaurs ruled the Earth, all Australian kids learnt some Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson. It was impressed upon our tender young minds that Australian Literature effectively started with Paterson and Lawson and that these men were National Treasures.
I don't know if that is still the case, i suspect not.
Regardless, Paterson was a genius poet and a National Treasure. These verses are timeless and brilliant and have survived the winds of fashion and literary trends. It's worth pointing out that Paterson published his first poem in the, now defunct, Bulletin Magazine in 1889. Not many writers last that long, not many writers are still in print so many years after their death.
If you are even remotely interested in Australian Literature you need to read these poems.
If you just like good poetry you will find this collection rewarding.

[Bonnie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And the bush hath friends to meet him, and their kindly voices greet him
In the murmur of the breezes and the river on its bars,
And he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended,
And at night the wond'rous glory of the everlasting stars."

[Jason Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A.B. "Banjo" Paterson's poems are easy to read, witty, covered in the bush-dust of Australian history and culture, and sometimes quite profound. I would love to see every Australian child grow up having Dad or Mum reading these poems to their children before bed. Well worth the read.

[Hannah Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this is essentially a look into the colonial & early federation era of Australia - a heavily romanticized look but an interesting view the same - from a person who lived through it & watched Federation happen.
Now I'm keen to find & read a biography of Patterson.

[Luke McNamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am I a true Aussie now?

[lils · Rating 5 out of 5]

ambition & art - poem name

[Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Banjo Paterson's work as part of an undergrad class. Re-reading this, especially on my travels through the (US) Southwest, makes me realise how similar Australia and the United States were (are?) in their imaginations about the country and about the wonders of what the writers/poets saw.
Paterson's love of the land and its people come across pretty clearly while, at the same time, the indigenous people who occupied much of the land he's writing about are either the "strong, noble" types or absent. On the whole, a great picture of what it was like to explore and travel around Australia then and still relevant today, especially if, like me, you were exploring a similar territory as the one Paterson talks about.
I should probably mention that I acquired this copy for $1.50 in San Luis and it's selling on Amazon for $88.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aussie lawyer and solicitor turned poet who left the big city life for the outback. Andrew Paterson wrote in an easy style that ranges from the humorous to the sad. Some of his more memorial poems are "Waltzing Matilda" and "the Man from Snowy River." One of my favorites is "An Evening in Dandaloo." About some out bakers who got bamboozled out of their cash by some city slickers, then hear that revenge lies at the local saloon. When they arrive at the bar, the lanterns are blown out so the locals can mete out punishment but find they are the only ones there and have been beating the snot out of each other,

[Antony · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the Best poets ever. Also what Australians would call a mans man.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed seeing the evolution of his poetry over time. I prefer his earlier works as his later works reference a lot of political situations I don't have contexr for.

[Roxann · Rating 4 out of 5]

the quintessential Australian poet. . .