HENRY LAWSON

HENRY LAWSON

 

(1867 - 1922)

 

Henry Lawson was an Australian poet and writer. Many believe he was the first poet to capture the Australian way of life.

 

And today, Henry Lawson's work is an inspiration to many Australians.

 

(Poem read aloud)

""The ladies are coming", the super says to the shearers sweltering there,

and 'the ladies' means in the shearing shed..."don't cut 'em too bad. Don't swear."

The ghost of a pause in the shed's rough heart,

and lower is bowed each head,

then nothing is heard save a whispered word,

and the roar of the shearing shed."

 

Henry Lawson was born in 1867, on a goldfield in rural New South Wales.

 

His father was mining there, and times were tough. The Lawsons were very poor.

 

Henry didn't get a good education, but his mother gave him lots of books.

 

Henry was a shy, sensitive child. He wasn't like most bush boys. Even his mother thought he was a bit strange.

 

When he was nine years of age, Henry got an ear infection and went partly deaf. By the time he was fourteen years old he was totally deaf.

 

The kids at school tormented Henry and he became more of a loner. But his made him even better at observing people...looking at the way they act.

 

One of his most famous poems is about just watching people in the street...

 

(poem read aloud)

"I look in vain for traces of the fresh and fair and sweet,

in sallow, sunken faces that are drifting through the street.

Drifting on, drifting on, to the scrape of restless feet;

I can sorrow for the owners of the faces in the street."

 

Henry Lawson grew up to be a quite bitter and confused man.

 

He always believed things would get better ... but it seemed he didn't have much luck in life.

His writing was a way for him to express his feelings.

 

Much of his inspiration came from the Australian bush, and its people. Because he'd known the hardships of bush life Henry Lawson could understand its ways.

 

(poem read aloud)

"Strong blows on the wedge, a rip and a tear

and the log opens up to the butt.

And spreading around through the pure mountain air,

is the scent of the wood newly cut."

 

In those days reading poetry was a popular pastime. People looked up to writers...everyone had a favourite poet.

 

In 1888 the Bulletin started to publish Henry's stories and poems. People could see he understood life in Australia, and he soon had loyal readers.

 

He fell in love with another writer, Mary Gilmore. But she knew they weren't suited, and didn't want to marry him.

 

Henry continued to struggle in odd jobs and to write. The Bulletin sent him to the bush, but he didn't like it as much as he thought and returned happily to Sydney.

 

One thing he greatly enjoyed was talking to mates over a beer. Henry thought these friendships were very special.

 

In 1896 Henry married Bertha Bredt. They had two children, but their marriage was unhappy and they separated.

 

Henry started drinking heavily and spent much time in gaol. His poems shows his sadness.

 

(poem read aloud)

"We knew too little of the world,

and you and I were kind,

we listened to what others said,

and both of us were blind."

 

Although his own life was often unhappy, Henry Lawson was kind to others.He found time for those less fortunate than himself. He felt he had something in common with homeless people.

 

Henry got sick., both in mind and body. He spent time in a mental hospital, and never really recovered. Henry Lawson was only fifty-five years of age when he died at home alone. He'd been writing in his bed. The government paid for his funeral as a mark of respect.

 

Henry Lawson may not have led the life he hoped for, but he's now widely recognised as Australia's poet of the people.