Knockin’ Around
Knockin’ Around - meaning Summary
A Son Lost in the Bush
The poem follows a worried rural mother and father asking after their son Jack, who is "knocking around" the Australian bush. Lawson presents contrasting possibilities—Jack as destitute, ill, or daring and self-reliant—while emphasizing parental grief, resignation, and the rough life of drovers and shearers. The recurring phrase conveys uncertainty and the harsh, itinerant reality of bush life, blending sympathy with stoic acceptance of an absent son.
Read Complete AnalysesWeary old wife, with the bucket and cow, ‘How’s your son Jack? and where is he now?’ Haggard old eyes that turn to the west ‘Boys will be boys, and he’s gone with the rest!’ Grief without tears and grief without sound; ‘Somewhere up-country he’s knocking around.’ Knocking around with a vagabond crew, Does for himself what a mother would do; Maybe in trouble and maybe hard-up, Maybe in want of a bite or a sup; Dead of the fever, or lost in the drought, Lonely old mother! he’s knocking about. Wiry old man at the tail of the plough, ‘Heard of Jack lately? and where is he now?’ Pauses a moment his forehead to wipe, Drops the rope reins while he feels for his pipe, Scratches his grey head in sorrow or doubt: ‘Somewheers or others he’s knocking about.’ Knocking about on the runs of the West, Holding his own with the worst and the best Breaking in horses and risking his neck, Droving or shearing and making a cheque; Straight as a sapling six-foot and sound, Jack is all right when he’s knocking around
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