'The Man From Snowy River' by Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

Living Verse compiled by A.K.Thompson, Jacaranda PressThere was movement at the station, for the word has passed around
That the colt from old Regret had got away,
And had joined the wild bush horses-he was worth a thousand pound,
So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.
All the tried and noted riders from the stations near and far
Had mustered at the homestead overnight,
For the bushmen love hard riding where the wild bush horses are,
And the stock-horse snuffs the battle with delight.There was Harrison, who made his pile when Pardon won the cup,
The old man with his hair as white as snow;
But few could ride beside him when his blood was fairly up-
He would go wherever horse and man could go.
And Clancy of the Overflow came down to lend a hand;
No better horseman ever held the reins;
For never horse could throw him while the saddle girths would stand-
He had learnt to ride while droving on the plains.And one was there, a sripling on a small and weedy beast,
He was something like a racehorse undersized,
With a touch of Timor pony-three parts thoroughbred at least-
And such as are by mountain horsemen prized.
He was hard and tough and wiry-just the sort that won't say die-
There was courage in his quick impatient tread;
And he bore the badge of gameness in his bright and fiery eye,And the proud and lofty carriage of his head.But still so slight and weedy, one would doubt his power to stay,
And the old man said, "That horse will never do
For a long and tiring gallop-lad, you'd better stop away,
For those hills are far too rough for such as you."
So he waited, sad and wistful-only Clancy stood his friend-"I think we ought to let him come," he said;
"I warrant he'll be with us when he's wanted at the end,
For both his horse and he are mountain bred.'He hails from Snowy River, up by Kosiosko's side,
Where the hills are twice as steep and twice as rough;
Where the horse's hoofs strike firelight from the flintstones every stride,
There the man that holds his own is good enough.
And the Snowy River riders in the mountains make their home,
Wher the river runs those giant hills between;
I have seen full many riders since I first commenced to roam,
But nowhere yet such horsemen have I seen."So he went; they found the horses by the big mimosa clump,
They raced away towards the mountain's brow,
And the old man gave his orders, "Boys, go at them from the jump,
No use to try for fancy riding now.
And, Clancy, you must wheel them, try and wheel them to the right.
Ride boldly, lad, and never fear the spills,
For never yet was rider that could keep the mob in sight,
If once they gain the shelter of those hills."So Clancy rode to wheel them-he was racing on the wing
Where the best and boldest riders take their place.
And he raced his stock-horse past them. and he made the ranges ringWith his stock-whip, as he met them face to face.
Then they halted for a moment, while he swung the dreaded lash,
But they saw their well-loved mountain full in view,
And they charged beneath the stock-whip with a sharp and sudden dash,And off into the mountain scrub they flew.Then fast the horsemen followed, where the gorges deep and black
Resounded to the thunder of their tread,
And their stock-whips woke the echoes, and they fiercely answered back
from the cliffs and crags that beetled overhead.
And upward, ever upward, the wild horses held their way,
Where the mountain ash and kurrajong grew wide;
And the old man muttered fiercely, "We may bid the mob good-day,
For no man can hold them down the other side."When they reached the mountain's summit, even Clancy took a pull-
It well might make the boldest hold their breath;
For the wild hop scrub grew thickly, and the hidden ground was full
Of wombat holes, and any slip meant death.
But the man from Snowy River let the pony have its head,
He swung his stock-whip round and gave a cheer,
And he raced him down that mountain like a torrent down its bed,
While the others stood and watched in very fear.He sent the flintstones flying, but the pony kept its feet,
He cleared the fallen timber in his stride,
And the man from Snowy River never shifted in his seat-
It was grand to see that mountain horseman ride.
Through the stringy barks and saplings, over rough and broken ground,
Down the hillside at a racing pace he went;
And he never drew the bridle till he landed safe and sound
At the bottom of that terrible descent.He was right among the horses as he climbed the further hill,And the watchers on the hillside, standing mute,
Saw him ply the stock-whip fiercely; he was right among them still,
As he raced across a clearing in pursuit.
Then they lost him for a moment, where two mountain gullies met
In the ranges-but a final glimpse reveals
On a dim and distant hillside, the wild horses racing yet
With the man from Snowy River at their heels.And he ran them single-handed till their flanks were white with foam;
He followed like a bloodhound in their track,
Till they halted, cowed and beaten; and he turned their heads for home,
And alone and unassisted brought them back.
But his hardy mountain pony he could scarcely raise a trot,
He was blood from hip to shoulder from the spur;
But his pluck was still undaunted, and his courage fiery hot,
For never yet was mountain horse a cur.And down by Kosiosko, where the pine-clad ridges raise
Their torn and rugged battlements on high,Where the air is clear as crystal, and the white stars fairly blaze
Of a midnight in the cold and frosty sky,
And where around the Overflow the reed-beds sweep and swayTo the breezes, and the rolling plains are wide,
There the man from Snowy River is a household word today,
And the stockmen tell the story of his ride.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Man From Snowy River: A Literary Marvel

The Man From Snowy River, written by Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson, is a classic Australian poem that has captured the hearts of millions of readers for over a century. This epic poem is a tribute to the Australian bushmen, who lived in the rugged and isolated terrain of the Snowy Mountains. The poem is a literary marvel that not only celebrates the culture and heritage of the Australian people but also showcases the beauty and harshness of the Australian landscape.

The Mysterious and Adventurous Tone

From the very beginning, the poem sets a mysterious and adventurous tone that captures the reader's imagination. The opening lines of the poem are:

There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from old Regret had got away,
And had joined the wild bush horses—he was worth a thousand pound,
So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.

The use of the word 'movement' creates a sense of urgency and hints at something exciting about to happen. The reference to the 'wild bush horses' implies that the colt has joined a group of untamed horses, and this is where the adventure begins. The poem also introduces the concept of the Australian bushmen as skilled riders who have gathered to capture the colt.

The Vivid Description of the Australian Landscape

Paterson's poetic prowess is evident in the vivid descriptions of the Australian landscape. The poem describes the Snowy Mountains as a place of rugged beauty, where the mountains are steep and the valleys are deep. The following lines from the poem illustrate the beauty of the landscape:

And he ran them single-handed till their sides were white with foam.
He followed like a bloodhound on their track,
Till they halted cowed and beaten, then he turned their heads for home,
And alone and unassisted brought them back.

These lines not only showcase the beauty of the Australian bush but also the harshness of the terrain. The use of words like 'white with foam' and 'cowed and beaten' paint a vivid picture of the harsh and rugged terrain that the bushmen had to traverse to capture the wild horses.

The Celebration of the Australian Bushmen

The Man From Snowy River is also a celebration of the Australian bushmen and their way of life. The poem showcases the bushmen's skills in horsemanship, their courage, and their resilience in the face of adversity. The following lines from the poem illustrate this:

The man from Snowy River is a household word today,
And the stockmen tell the story of his ride.

These lines show that the man from Snowy River has become a legend, and his story is passed down from generation to generation. The poem also celebrates the bushmen's way of life, which is closely connected to the land and the horses that roam free. The poem portrays the bushmen as rugged and independent individuals who rely on their wits and skills to survive in the harsh Australian bush.

The Themes of Freedom and Independence

The Man From Snowy River is also a poem about freedom and independence. The poem celebrates the freedom of the wild bush horses and the independence of the Australian bushmen. The following lines from the poem illustrate this:

The wild hop scrub grew thickly, and the hidden ground was full
Of wombat holes, and any slip was death.
But the man from Snowy River let the pony have his head,
And he swung his stockwhip round and gave a cheer,
And he raced him down the mountain like a torrent down its bed,
While the others stood and watched in very fear.

These lines show the man from Snowy River's independence and his willingness to take risks to achieve his goal. The poem celebrates the freedom of the wild horses and the independence of the bushmen who rely on their skills and wits to survive in the harsh Australian bush.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Man From Snowy River is a literary marvel that celebrates the culture and heritage of the Australian people. The poem captures the beauty and harshness of the Australian landscape, celebrates the skills and courage of the Australian bushmen, and portrays a message of freedom and independence. The poem is a tribute to the Australian spirit and the resilience of the people who live in the rugged and isolated terrain of the Snowy Mountains. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of Banjo Paterson and his contribution to Australian literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Man From Snowy River: A Classic Poem of Adventure and Bravery

If you're a fan of poetry, then you've probably heard of The Man From Snowy River, written by Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson. This classic poem is a thrilling tale of adventure, bravery, and the rugged Australian landscape. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the poem, its themes, and its enduring popularity.

The Man From Snowy River tells the story of a young man who lives in the mountains of Australia. He is a skilled horseman and spends his days riding through the rugged terrain, tending to his father's cattle. One day, a valuable colt escapes and joins a wild herd of horses. The young man is tasked with retrieving the colt, and he sets out on a dangerous journey through the mountains. Along the way, he faces numerous challenges, including steep cliffs, raging rivers, and a stampede of wild horses. Despite the odds, he manages to catch the colt and return it to his father, earning the respect of his fellow mountain men.

The poem is written in a lively, rhythmic style that captures the spirit of the Australian bush. Paterson's use of language is particularly effective in conveying the rugged beauty of the landscape. For example, in the opening lines, he writes:

"There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around That the colt from old Regret had got away, And had joined the wild bush horses - he was worth a thousand pound, So all the cracks had gathered to the fray."

These lines immediately draw the reader into the story, painting a vivid picture of the excitement and anticipation that surrounds the escape of the valuable colt. The use of colloquial language, such as "cracks" (a term for skilled horsemen), adds to the authenticity of the poem and helps to create a sense of place.

One of the key themes of The Man From Snowy River is the idea of bravery in the face of adversity. The young man who sets out to catch the colt is portrayed as a hero, willing to risk his life to complete his task. This is evident in lines such as:

"He sent the flint stones flying, but the pony kept his feet, He cleared the fallen timber in his stride, And the man from Snowy River never shifted in his seat - It was grand to see that mountain horseman ride."

These lines describe the young man's daring ride down a steep slope, chasing after the wild horses. Despite the danger, he remains steadfast and determined, demonstrating his bravery and skill as a horseman. This theme of bravery is also reflected in the poem's final lines, which describe the young man's return to the mountain men:

"And he ran them single-handed till their sides were white with foam. He followed like a bloodhound on their track, Till they halted cowed and beaten; then he turned their heads for home, And alone and unassisted brought them back."

These lines highlight the young man's courage and determination, as he faces down a stampede of wild horses and emerges victorious.

Another important theme of The Man From Snowy River is the idea of the Australian bush as a place of adventure and freedom. The poem celebrates the rugged beauty of the landscape and the sense of independence that comes with living in such a remote and challenging environment. This is evident in lines such as:

"Where the hills are twice as steep and twice as rough, Where a horse's hoofs strike firelight from the flint stones every stride, The man that holds his own is good enough."

These lines describe the harsh terrain of the mountains, but also suggest that those who are able to navigate it are worthy of respect. The poem celebrates the spirit of adventure and independence that is so closely associated with the Australian bush, and suggests that those who are able to thrive in such an environment are truly exceptional.

The enduring popularity of The Man From Snowy River can be attributed to its timeless themes and vivid imagery. The poem captures the spirit of the Australian bush in a way that is both authentic and inspiring, and its celebration of bravery, adventure, and independence continues to resonate with readers today. Whether you're a fan of poetry or simply looking for a thrilling tale of adventure, The Man From Snowy River is a classic that is not to be missed.

Editor Recommended Sites

Best Scifi Games - Highest Rated Scifi Games & Top Ranking Scifi Games: Find the best Scifi games of all time
Cloud Templates - AWS / GCP terraform and CDK templates, stacks: Learn about Cloud Templates for best practice deployment using terraform cloud and cdk providers
ML Management: Machine learning operations tutorials
Flutter Assets:
HL7 to FHIR: Best practice around converting hl7 to fhir. Software tools for FHIR conversion, and cloud FHIR migration using AWS and GCP

Recommended Similar Analysis

Fragmentary Blue by Robert Frost analysis
Sonnet 12 - Indeed this very love which is my boast by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Lorelei by Sylvia Plath analysis
To Earthward by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Cinderella by Robert Service analysis
How I Built Myself a House by Thomas Hardy analysis
Music Swims Back To Me by Anne Sexton analysis
Elegy X: The Dream by John Donne analysis
I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You by Pablo Neruda analysis
Call It Music by Philip Levine analysis