Cirrus@Austlit

'Ireland is a bookshelf in my mother's (place) house. A book of Australian folk songs, from the eighteenth century to the First World War. Frank the Poet's 'Moreton Bay'. Ned Kelly knew this ballad and quotes, from it. consequently or otherwise, in the Jerilderie Letter: 'Port McQuarie, Toweringabbie and Norfolk Island and Emu Plain'.' A book of Australian folklore, of the same period. Convict Paddy tries to walk to China from old Sydney town; men win 'lazy contests' when they fail to see the point of taking part; Larry Foley makes his stand on George's River ground, the verse narrative written to scan to the tune of 'The Wearing of the Green. (Arthur Schlesinger assured  us President Kennedy could roar this song.).