The sundowner

Component identifier:

Item 65

Content Summary:

While Beauty Imposes was in preparation, Shaw Neilson wrote to James Devaney, 12 July 1936: "I daresay that a good many of my friends would object to The Sundowner and The Pirate being in with serious stuff but perhaps people in other States which are not so puritan as Victoria, may pardon these isolated attempts at humour." Devaney endeavoured to dissuade Neilson from including the verses but the poet was insistent, and so they went in.

Of the poem itself, Neilson wrote, 27 January 1936: "...It was the best piece of light verse I had written up to that time...At times I have shown some of my light verse to friends. Some of them seem disinclined to express an opinion. Generally speaking, I think they disapprove of it...I have the reputation of being rather a tearful poet and perhaps it is best to stick to it". In another letter, he writes: "...I was attempting to parody Arthur Adams's London Streets. He used a great many of the out of the way adjectives, which sometimes didn't fit in very well. I was also trying to ridicule the hero worship of swagmen which Lawson was making rather popular".

This folder contains two scripts by Neilson, one inscribed by him, "original version", the other as "revised version", signed "Shaw Neilson". Five letters (18pp) are also included. They are concerned with this poem, also with others. He refers to Beauty Imposes: "You have been at great pains with the manuscript and A.G. himself could not have worked harder to get things ship-shape. To me the arrangement of the verses seems excellent...It was really a big task for you to undertake when you were so busy with other work".

Included in this folder is original pencil drawing by Fred Leist of Henry Lawson, depicted in full walking kit, and with the full complement of pots, pans and blanket, all ready to "swag it" on the "horror stretch". Other items of interest, photographs, news clippings, etc., also included.

Names:

John Shaw Neilson

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