Backblock Ballads and Other Verses

C. J. Dennis

First Published: 1913

Dust-jacket Synopsis

First published in 1913, Backblock Ballads and Other Verses by "Den" is Dennis's first book, together with a cover illustration by David Low. Most of the verses had first appeared in "The Bulletin". Others were printed in "The Lone Hand", "The Gadfly", and "The Evening Journal" Adelaide. Of note, this book sees the first reference to The Bloke, with the first 4 poems of the yet to be published Sentimental Bloke appearing for the first time in a book. The title is a homage to Rudyard Kipling's Barrack-Room Ballads and Other Verses.

This book also records the first publication of Dennis's Glossary "For the use of the thoroughly genteel" This Glossary became a feature of Dennis's later books and supported his use of the vernacular in his writing style.

Contents

• 'Urry
• Roamin' Free
• Langwidge
• An Old Master
• Wanderers Lost
• The Looting of Jim
• Hopeful Hawkins
• The Homeward Track
• Cow
• Barley Grass
• Mornin' Magpies
• Up 'long the Billabong
• Wheat
• The Ballad of Juno Sue
• Me an' Bates
• Cleanin'
• The Bleating of the Sheep
• Comin' 'ome frum Shearin'
• The Silent Member
• On the Land
• Toolangi
• I. A Spring Song
• II. The Intro
• III. The Stoush o' Day
• IV. Doreen
• Brothers o' Mine
• The Joy Ride
• The Tory
• A Real Australian Austra-laise
• My Poor Relation
• The Martyred Democrat
• The Idolators
• The Lovers
• The Nearing Drums
• The Royal Hat
• Under the Party Plan
• Yarra Flats
• The First Elective Ministry
• It was Never Contemplated
• "Weighed In"
• The March
• A Ballad of Elderly Kids
• Moonshine (Moonlight)
• The Eternal Circle
• The Chase of Ages
• The Bridge Across the Crick
• Son of a Fool
• Suburbia - a Yearn
• The High Priest
• "Paw"
• Weary
• Brown's Tram
• The Bore
• Doch-an-Doris
• Mutton
• Snakes
• When the Sun's Behind the Hill
• The Cruise of the "Nightmare"
• Overweight