Song of the Wheat
Song of the Wheat is a novel written by Andrew Barton Paterson, published in 1916. The book tells the story of a young man named Alan Marston who returns to his hometown in Australia after serving in World War I. As he navigates his way through the changing landscape of his childhood home, he grapples with his own identity and sense of purpose. Through his experiences, Paterson explores themes of nostalgia, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
By Andrew Barton Paterson · First published 1926 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Australian Literature · 668 words
First lines
We have sung the song of the droving days, Of the march of the travelling sheep; By silent stages and lonely ways Thin, white battalions creep. But the man who now by the land would thrive Must his spurs to a plough-share beat. Is there ever a man in the world alive To sing the song of the Wheat!
It's west by south of the Great Divide The grim grey plains run out, Where the old flock-masters lived and died In a ceaseless fight with drought. Weary with waiting and hope deferred They were ready to own defeat, Till at last they heard the master-word -- And the master-word was Wheat.
What this Textopian page supports
Song of the Wheat is listed on Textopian as a poem by Andrew Barton Paterson, dated 1926 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Andrew Barton Paterson
- Date: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Australian Literature
- Length: 668 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Song of the Wheat by Andrew Barton Paterson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Song of the Wheat?
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Similar titles
- Wheat by C. J. Dennis
- The Song Of The Moor by Sabine Baring Gould
- For All The Land To See by Henry Lawson
- The Poetry Of A Root Crop by Charles Kingsley
- Peter Simsons Farm by Edward Dyson
- Come Here Is Adieu To The City by Robert Louis Stevenson
Genres
- Poetry — Andrew Barton Paterson is well-known poet, and 'Song of the Wheat' is considered as a testament to his poetic prowess.
- Nature — The title refers to 'wheat', a part of nature, which suggests that the book might cover themes of nature or rural life.
- Australian Literature — Paterson is an iconic Australian writer, known for contributing significantly to Australian literature.
Tags
poetry · Australia · nature · agriculture · rural life · landscape · nostalgia · countryside · harvest · seasons · folk culture · identity