FOLK COLLECTION 11: The Skaggs Foundation Cowboy Poetry Collection

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

247

Will Ogilvie

Flying Doctor

I like to read of those gallant souls who fly to the sick man's aid where the endless map of the Bush unrolls and the loneliest leagues are laid.

moon, star, street, tales, stride, urgent call

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

249

Will Ogilvie

Harry Morant

Harry Morant was a friend I had in the years long passed away, a chivalrous, wild and reckless lad, a knight born out of his day.

fears, applause, lie, dare, spare, fate

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

252

Will Ogilvie

Cavalier

With a careless grace and idle he walks as one of the crowd, but give him a saddle and bridle and see what it is to be proud! His head has a nobler carriage,

marriage, weather, couple, fire, past, blast, journey

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

253

Will Ogilvie

The Swagman

It may be the swagman is rarer round Barringun, Byrock and Bourke than in days when that lonely wayfarer made walking the whole of his work. Has he now found relief

surveys, survivors, flies, ponies, trouble, journey

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

255

Will Ogilvie

The Jackeroo

Here he comes-a bit of a freak, with a glass in his eye and a rosy cheek! Useless, of course; no good on a horse; And taking a buster twice a week.

gloom, adviser, surprise, root, deal, blodd

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

257

Will Ogilvie

Black Trackers

Swart bloodhounds of the fenceless West, black gallopers that lead the Law, to whom your victims stand confessed by every lightest line they draw; The hawks that hight above you sail

fathers, prize, paid, king, ring, pride

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

259

Will Ogilvie

The Western Squatter

Here in the west lie our limitless acres, blue-grass and barley-grass, saltbush and sand; Here were out grandsires the early road-breakers and here to this day we are lords of the land.

friends, expense, flood, fire, boss, loss, profit

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

261

Will Ogilvie

The Stockyard Liar

If ever you're handling a rough one There's bound to be perched on the rails of the Stockyard some grizzled old tough one whose flow of advice never fails;

aspire, rum, fashion, passion, confidence

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

263

Will Ogilvie

Black Sheep

They shepherd their Black Sheep down to the ships, society's banned and cursed; And the boys look back as the old land dips- some with a reckless laugh on their lips.

regret, staff, photograph, gift, hair, hope

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

265

Will Ogilvie

The Gipsy

"Now cross my hand with silver" said the gipsy crone to me, "And I will tell your life that's past and all your life to be!" I said, "The old I know too well,

harvest, moon, fairies, gold, freedom

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

269

Will Ogilvie

When The Brolgas Dance

O, bright may be the ballroom and glamorous the tune where fair girls in their finery step out in silver shoon, but no one knows Terpsichore

crimson, beauty, lady, courtesy, dance, kiss

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

270

Will Ogilvie

A Little Bit Of Garden

We need no crown or sceptre, for, now that it is Spring, just a little bit of garden- and every man's a king! A little breadth of border,

blade, peep, crown, garde, king

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

271

Will Ogilvie

They Grey Nurse

At the feet of this oldest of nurses, whom the wind has made grey with his strife, happy youth in its wonder rehearses the play and the labour of life;

beautiful, thunder, slaughter, tender, hate

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

272

Will Ogilvie

There's A Clean Wind Blowing

There's a clean wind blowing over hill-flower and peat, where the bell-heather's growing, and the borwn burn flowing,

master wind, challenge, birds, lord, town

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

273

Will Ogilvie

Flowers Of The Forst

The sun is king on the crest of the hill, and the woods are aflame with his glory; The voice of the north wind is suddenly still and the trees have forgotten her story;

pitiful, fairies, afraid, moon, pride

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

274

Will Ogilvie

Contentment

The gold leaf said to the brown; "Let us take hands and go down on the wind's wings, for summer is spent and the sap runs slow;

nest, bird, fire, yellow leaf, desire

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

275

Will Ogilvie

Riches

I may neither sport nor feast; Wealth is not for me to make; But the sun is mine at least, and my blue hills none can take.

sky, god, wine, creed, heath, heart, gold, song

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

279

Will Ogilvie

Cicadas

When the Bush is still as death, and the night wind whispers under her breath, when the shite stars beckon without a word and not one leaf of the box is stirred-

tune, music, bold, jealous, peace, pride

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

276

Will Ogilvie

The Comfort Of The Hills

Heart! If you've a sorrow take it to the hills! lay it where the sunshine cups of colour spills! Hide it in the shadow of the folding fern;

burn, wind, sorrow, silence, lie, healing

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

277

Will Ogilvie

The Shadow Dancers

When the shallow's dipping low and the cloud's above the wheat, you can see the Shadow Dancers as they pass on flying feet;

partner, whisper, twinkling, remember, past

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

278

Will Ogilvie

Again

Ain't it good to see again leaf an'bud an'bee again- friends a fellow knows! Ain't it good to feel again hook an'rod an'reel again where the ripple flows!

summer, rose, gold, grand, rare, sake

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

280

Will Ogilvie

Bush Spiders

Steady! you galloping riders: Steady! and swing to the side: Room for the little bush spiders who toil at your hand as ye ride! See where the sunbeams are gilding

pride, spiders, rail, bridges, spoilers, sin, mooon

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

281

Will Ogilvie

Ballade Of Windy Nights

Have you learnet the sorrow of windy nights when lilacs down in the garden moan, and stars are flickering faint, wan lights, and voices whisper in wood and stone?

ghosts, shadow, pale, love, sorrow

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

282

Will Ogilvie

To A Bunch Of Heather

Was it early in the autumn, was it sunny summer weather? Were the white mists on the Carter when they plucked you on the moor? Were the mountain dews upon you in the morning,

jewel, tremble, crash, token, royal, stars, rainbow

Saddle For A Throne

FC 11 O-13

284

Will Ogilvie

Opals

Their fire is found in the sunset; Their pearl is part of the dawn; Their faint green-blue is the nameless hue that follows the dark withdrawn.

diamond, rainbow, impart, love, red bosom, impart