Selected Verse of C. J. Dennis

Chosen and introduced by Alec H. Chisholm

First Published: 1950

Dust-jacket Synopsis

This comprehensive collection includes poems from The Sentimental Bloke, Jim of the Hills, Digger Smith, The Glugs of Gosh, Ginger Mick, Backblock Ballads, The Book for Kids and Doreen.

Selected and introduced by Alec H. Chisholm to represent Dennis’ full range and versatility.

From vernacular verse to fantasy and children's poetry, all major styles are represented.

Introduction

The world 'as got me snouted jist a treat;
Crool Forchin's dirty left 'as smote me soul;
An' all them joys o' life I 'eld so sweet
Is up the pole!

Was there ever an autobiography so artless, so revealing, and so convincing as this? The four lines quoted above are, in fact, a revelation of character. They express not only a mood but a philosophy of life — a philosophy compounded of humour, courage, and resilience. Dennis was never one to deny the blows of fate; rather he accepted them with a grin, and made of them material for his verse. In this lies much of his appeal. He is never bitter for long; his pessimism is always tempered by a robust optimism, and his laughter, even at his own expense, is infectious.

When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes I all alone beweep my outcast state, And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, And look upon myself, and curse my fate.

If the language of the Shakespearian sonnet is rather more chaste than that of the Dennis song, the two expressions are impressively alike in substance...

From the Angus and Robertson hardback edition, 1975.

Contents

• A REAL AUSTRALIAN AUSTRA-LAISE
• The Austra-laise
• THE SONGS OF A SENTIMENTAL BLOKE
• A Spring Song
• The Intro
• The Stoush o'Day
• The Play
• Mar
• Hitched
• Uncle Jim
• The Kid
• The Mooch o' Life
• THE MOODS OF GINGER MICK
• War
• The Call of Stoush
• The Push
• The Singing Soldiers
• A Letter to the Front
• Rabbits
• The Game
• A Gallant Gentleman
• DOREEN
• Washing Day
• ROSE OF SPADGERS
• The Faltering Knight
• A Holy War
• The Crusaders
• The Knight's Return
• A Woman's Way
• DIGGER SMITH
• Digger Smith
• West
• Over the Fence
• A Digger's Tale
• Half a Man
• Jim
• JIM OF THE HILLS
• A Morning Song
• The Vision
• The Wooer
• Red Robin
• Flames
• Grey Thrush
• THE GLUGS OF GOSH
• The Glug Quest
• Joi, the Glug
• The Stones of Gosh
• Sym, the Son of Joi
• The Growth of Sym
• The Swanks of Gosh
• The Seer
• The Rhymes of Sym
• Ogs
• Emily Ann
• The Little Red Dog
• ROUNDABOUT
• Cuppacumalonga
• The Ant Explorer
• The Swagman
• The Postman
• The Traveller
• The Triantiwontigongolope
• The Circus
• The Tram-Man
• Going to School
• BACKBLOCK BALLADS
• An Old Master
• Wheat
• 'Urry!
• The Silent Member
• The Bridge Across the Crick
• A Song of Rain
• Hymn of Futility
• THE SINGING GARDEN
• Green Walls
• The Lyretail
• The Indian Myna
• The Satin Bower-Bird
• Dusk