The Stockman's Last Bed
The narrative centers on the tragic fate of a stockman named Jack, who meets an untimely death while working. The poem opens with a call to listeners, inviting them to pay attention to Jack's story. It reflects on his vibrant life, characterized by the sounds of his stockwhip, the lively trot of his horse, and his commanding presence among fellow stockmen. Jack's demise occurs during a routine task of drafting cattle when he is gored by a cow. In his final moments, he expresses despair, realizing he will never ride again or experience the freedom of the open plains. The poem conveys the sorrow of his passing, highlighting the silence that follows his death—his whip is still, his dogs mourn, and his horse waits in vain for his return. The poem emphasizes the isolation of Jack's grave, suggesting that few will remember him, except for the Indigenous people of Australia. It serves as a poignant reminder of the often-overlooked lives of those who work the land. The closing lines urge future stockmen to tread carefully in the area where Jack is buried, acknowledging the respect owed to a fallen comrade. The work encapsulates themes of mortality, the harsh realities of rural life, and the fleeting nature of existence.
By Andrew Barton Paterson · First published 1895 · Genre: Poetry, Australian Literature, Narrative Poetry · 246 words
First lines
Be ye stockmen or no, to my story give ear. Alas! for poor Jack, no more shall we hear The crack of his stockwhip, his steed's lively trot, His clear "Go ahead, boys," his jingling quart pot.
Chorus For we laid him where wattles their sweet fragrance shed, And the tall gum trees shadow the stockman's last bed.
Whilst drafting one day he was horned by a cow. "Alas! " cried poor Jack, "it's all up with me now, For I never again shall my saddle regain, Nor bound like a wallaby over the plain."
His whip it is silent, his dogs they do mourn, His steed looks in vain for his master's return; No friend to bemoan him, unheeded he dies; Save Australia's dark sons, few know where he lies.
What this Textopian page supports
The Stockman's Last Bed is listed on Textopian as a poem by Andrew Barton Paterson, dated 1895 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: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Australian Literature, Narrative Poetry, Elegy, Ballad
- Length: 246 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Stockman's Last Bed by Andrew Barton Paterson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Australian Literature — The poem reflects themes and settings specific to Australian culture and landscape, particularly the life of stockmen.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story about a stockman, incorporating narrative elements within its poetic structure.
- Elegy — The poem mourns the death of a character, reflecting on loss and remembrance.
Tags
Australian poetry · bush ballad · stockman · rural life · loss · nature · cowboy culture · death · grief · nostalgia · landscape · friendship