Backblock Ballads and Later Verses

Backblock Ballads and Later Verses is a collection of poetry by celebrated Australian poet, C. J. Dennis (1876-1938).

The 36 poems, many of which are written in Aussie vernacular, highlight the extraordinary, the comic and the tragic of daily life in Australia. Quirks of culture, geography, and language are simultaneously caricatured and celebrated, while the challenges and ironies of human experience are touched upon with humor and pathos.

Many of these poems first appeared in Australian periodicals during the early 20th century. As a collection, Backblock Ballads and Later Verses was first published in 1918 and includes the notorious mock anthem, "The Austra-laise".

Public Domain (P)2020 Voices of Today