The Federal Bus Conductor and the Old Lady
The Federal Bus Conductor and the Old Lady - context Summary
Federation of Australia
Paterson's comic lyric is framed as a lively street cry at the moment of Australian Federation. Personified colonies are urged aboard a single, bustling "federation bus," with the poem mixing jingoistic cheer, practical anxieties and wry egalitarianism. Its tone captures public excitement and the push-and-pull of states negotiating a shared political future, using colloquial speech to dramatize the difficulties and conviviality of uniting diverse communities.
Read Complete AnalysesNow 'urry, Mrs New South Wales, and come along of us, We're all a-goin' ridin' in the Federation 'bus. A fam'ly party, don't you know -- yes, Queenslans's comin', too, You can't afford it! Go along! We've kep' box seat for you. The very one of all the lot that can afford it best, You'll only have to pay your share the same as all the rest. You say your sons is workin' men, and can't afford to ride! Well, all our sons is workin' men, a-smokin' up outside. You think you might be drove to smash by some unskilful bloke! Well, ain't we all got necks ourselves? And we don't want 'em broke. You bet your lofe we're not such fools but what we'll do our best To keep from harm -- for harm to one is harm to all the rest. Now, don't go trudgin' on alone, but get aboard the trap; That basket, labelled "Capital", you take it in your lap! It's nearly time we made a start, so let's 'ave no more talk: You 'urry up and get aboard, or else stop out and walk. We've got a flag; we've got a band; out 'orses travels fast; Ho! Right away, Bill! Let 'em go! The old 'un's come at last!
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