“Ballad of the Drover (Death of Harry Dale)”
Author: Henry Lawson
Earliest date: 1968
Found in: Australia
Description
Harry Dale, the drover, is heading home after many months away. He comes to a river in flood. He tries to cross, but is swept from his horse. His dog leaps in to save him, but is also washed away. Now "in the lonely homestead the girl shall wait in vain"
Notes
This piece has often been included in school readers in Australia, and has therefore achieved popularity perhaps beyond what its merits warrant. - RBW
Cross references
- cf. "Martha Dexter" (theme)
- cf. "The Mother's Malison, or Clyde's Water" [Child 216] (theme)
References
- Meredith/Anderson, pp. 191-192, 206, 269-270, "Ballad of the Drover" (3 texts, 3 tunes)
- BI, MA191
The Traditional Ballad Index is copyright ©2008
by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.
The Digital Tradition is copyright The Mudcat Cafe.