The Ballad of That P.N.

Portrait of Andrew Barton Paterson
Andrew Barton Paterson 1864–1941

The shades of night had fallen at last, When through the house a shadow passed, That once had been the Genial Dan, But now become a desperate man, At question time he waited near, And on the Premier's startled ear A voice fell like half a brick -- "Did ye, or did ye not, pay Crick Did ye?" By land and sea the Premier sped, But found his foe where'er he fled, The sailors swore -- with whitened lip -- That Neptune swam behind the ship: When to the stern the Premier ran, Behold, 'twas no one else but Dan, And through the roaring of the gale That clarion voice took up the tale, "Ahot there! Answer, straight and slick! Did not the Ministry pay Crick Did they?"

In railway trains he sought retreat, But soon, from underneath the seat, With blazing eye and bristling beard, His ancient enemy appeared, And like a boiling torrent ran The accents of the angry Dan -- "Tell me, John See, and tell me quick Did not ye pay your shares to Crick Did ye?"

Keep reading

Discover more of Andrew Barton Paterson’s poetry.

Explore all poems

Readers

Reader discussion 1 comment

Add your reading ↓
Readers
1
Longest reading
David17 words
  1. David United States

    I know this poem is about a scandel in New South Wales. But not too much more

Your turn

Shown with your comment.

Never published. Only so we can reach you.

Comments are read before they appear. See our terms.