Day: August 9, 2025

Introduction: “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson

“Our New Horse” by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson first appeared in Rio Grande’s Last Race and Other Verses in 1902. This humorous narrative poem explores the world of bush racing culture in rural Australia and captures the cycle of hope, disappointment, and irony experienced by a group of station hands obsessed with horse racing. The poem is centered around the sale and eventual return of their deceptive racehorse, Partner, whose unreliability on the track contrasts with the false promise shown during trials. Paterson deftly blends satire with bush realism, illustrating themes of gambling folly, rural camaraderie, and the emotional highs and lows of sport. Its popularity lies in the relatable depiction of bush characters, vivid vernacular language, and the biting irony of the final twist — that their “new” horse was their own underperforming Partner sold back to them at a loss. Lines like “They bit their own hook, and were landed / With fifty pounds’ loss on the deal” encapsulate the biting humor and the cautionary tone that made the poem resonate with audiences then and now.

Text: “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson

Annotations: “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson

Themes: “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson

🎭 1. Disillusionment and False Hope: In “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson, the central theme of disillusionment is vividly portrayed through the recurring disappointments the characters face in the world of bush racing. The poem begins with the boys returning “silent and down on their luck,” having lost money on horses like Slogan and their own Partner. Their dreams are repeatedly crushed despite promising trial runs — “A gallop to gladden one’s heart” — that never translate to success on race day. The title itself, “Our New Horse,” is ironic, as their “new” hope turns out to be the very horse that had let them down before. Paterson uses this cycle to highlight the universal experience of misplaced belief — how easily people can fool themselves into believing that this time, things will be different.

💸 2. The Folly of Gambling and Risk: “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson explores the seductive but often destructive nature of gambling and risk-taking. The boys invest money, hope, and pride into horses that consistently let them down, particularly Partner, who is “licked from the fall of the flag.” Even after swearing off racing, they fall back into the cycle, driven by the thrill of the punt and the fantasy of winning big — “He must have the speed to catch swallows.” The poem shows how gambling creates an illusion of control while feeding on desperation and excitement. Their final mistake — unknowingly buying back the same useless horse — and losing fifty pounds reflects not just a financial loss, but the absurdity of repeating poor decisions under the guise of optimism. Paterson critiques this cycle with biting humor and sharp rural wit.

🤝 3. Mateship and Group Mentality: In “Our New Horse”, A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson captures the uniquely Australian theme of mateship, where loyalty and collective experience are as important as the outcome. The poem’s characters act as a unified group — they lose together, dream together, and eventually are fooled together. When they decide to send away Partner, it’s a group decision; when they get him back unknowingly, the “silent procession of sadness” reflects their shared shame. They sign the letter to the horse buyer as a group — “The undersigned blokes… ‘The boys’.” While they are misguided, their camaraderie is never in question. This theme adds depth to the humor and irony, showing how friendship can endure even when decisions go hilariously wrong.

🔄 4. The Cyclical Nature of Human Mistakes: “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson powerfully illustrates how people often repeat their mistakes, despite hard lessons. The poem starts and ends with the same outcome: failure with Partner. After trying to get rid of the horse and swearing off racing, the boys eventually return to their old habits, moved by the beauty of spring and racing nostalgia — “visions of racing came thronging.” They go full circle, believing that buying a new horse will change their luck, only to discover they’ve bought the same horse back. This circular structure mirrors real-life human behavior: the tendency to ignore past failures and believe that the next time will be different. Paterson cleverly uses this loop to comment on human nature with dry humor and ironic detachment.

Literary Theories and “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson

Critical Questions about “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson

❓🧠 1. What does the poem reveal about human nature and the tendency to repeat mistakes?

In “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson, the poem reveals a universal truth about human nature: people often repeat their mistakes, even when past experiences suggest caution. After suffering repeated losses with their unreliable racehorse Partner, the station boys decide to abandon racing altogether. Yet, as spring returns and memories of racing stir their emotions, they fall back into old habits: “The visions of racing came thronging / With all its delirious joys.” Their decision to buy a “new” horse reignites their optimism—only for them to discover, with crushing irony, that it’s Partner once again. This shows how hope, nostalgia, and emotional impulses can override logic, pushing individuals into cycles of self-deception.

❓💸 2. How does Paterson critique the culture of gambling and false success in the bush?

In “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson, gambling is portrayed not just as a risky habit but as a reflection of deeper social illusions. The bushmen pin their financial and emotional hopes on horse racing, despite continual disappointments. They convince themselves that performance in training—“Two-twelve for a mile and a quarter”—is proof of future victory, only to be let down repeatedly. When they decide to sell Partner by pretending he’s never raced, the deception becomes a commentary on the false promises embedded in gambling culture. The final blow comes when they unknowingly repurchase the same horse they had misrepresented. Paterson uses humor to highlight how easily people are fooled—not only by others, but by themselves—when blinded by the dream of easy success.

❓🐎 3. What role does the rural Australian setting play in shaping the events and characters of the poem?

In “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson, the Australian bush setting is more than just a backdrop—it is a force that shapes the characters’ desires, actions, and identity. The isolated life on the station leaves the men yearning for excitement, which they find in racing. The natural world around them, teeming with motion and life, mirrors their competitive spirit: “The wallabies race down the gap” and “The cockatoo parrots are talking / Of races to far-away lands.” These lines blur the boundary between human sport and animal instinct. Racing becomes a part of the natural rhythm of life in the bush, making the characters’ obsession with it feel both inevitable and culturally grounded. Paterson uses the landscape to reflect both the grandeur and the folly of their pursuits.

❓🎭 4. How does irony contribute to the humor and message of the poem?

In “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson, irony is the engine of both the poem’s humor and its deeper message about delusion and misjudgment. From the start, the audience sees how easily the station boys misread their circumstances—placing too much faith in flashy trial runs and underestimating the reliability of what they already know to be a failure. The most striking use of irony comes at the climax: after dreaming of a fresh start, they receive their old, faulty horse—Partner—dressed up as a new prospect. The poem states, “They opened his box with delight — / A silent procession of sadness,” perfectly capturing the gut-punch of realization. Paterson’s clever use of irony not only entertains but delivers a cautionary lesson about the risks of wishful thinking.

Literary Works Similar to “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson

1. “The Man from Ironbark” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson
   Like “Our New Horse,” this poem uses humor and bush characters to explore rural life and the consequences of naivety and assumptions.
2. “Said Hanrahan” by John O’Brien
   Both poems reflect the cyclical pessimism and misfortune of country folk, capturing the Australian bush spirit with irony and rural idiom.
3. “Clancy of the Overflow” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson
   Similar in tone and voice, it contrasts bush life with city life, highlighting the idealism, dreams, and nostalgia of Australian rural identity.
4. “The Teamster’s Farewell” by Carl Sandburg
   This poem, like “Our New Horse,” presents the hardship and endurance of bushmen through a narrative filled with realism and reflective melancholy.
5. “Mulga Bill’s Bicycle” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson
   Both poems use satire to mock overconfidence and pride, ending in humorous failure as the main character gets more than he bargained for.

Representative Quotations of “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson

Suggested Readings: “Our New Horse” by A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson

1. Heseltine, Harry P. “‘Banjo’Paterson: A Poet Nearly Anonymous.” Meanjin Quarterly 23.4 (1964): 386-402.
2. Semmler, Clement. “Kipling and A. B. Paterson: Men of Empire and Action.” The Australian Quarterly, vol. 39, no. 2, 1967, pp. 71–78. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/20634130. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
3. Morgan, Patrick. “Australian Literature Through Time and Place.” Antipodes, vol. 8, no. 2, 1994, pp. 115–19. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41958469. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Introduction: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal

“My Last Farewell” by José Rizal first appeared in 1897, as part of a posthumous collection of his writings, discovered hidden in an alcohol stove shortly after his execution by Spanish colonial authorities. The poem stands as a final testament to Rizal’s unyielding patriotism and profound love for his country, the Philippines. The main ideas revolve around sacrifice, nationalism, and the hope for freedom—Rizal willingly offers his life for the motherland, finding beauty and meaning even in death if it contributes to his country’s liberation: “Gladly do I give you my life, though sad and repressed.” His vivid metaphors—like his blood becoming part of the “matutinal glow”—transform death into a source of national awakening and inspiration. The reason for the poem’s enduring popularity lies in its emotional depth, lyrical eloquence, and moral power. It became a symbol of Filipino resistance against colonial oppression, capturing the spirit of martyrdom with lines like “To die is to rest”, where Rizal suggests that his death is not an end but a peaceful offering for a brighter future.

Text: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal

Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed,
Pearl of the Orient Sea, our Eden lost,
With gladness I give you my Life, sad and repressed;
And were it more brilliant, more fresh and at its best,
I would still give it to you for your welfare at most.

On the fields of battle, in the fury of fight,
Others give you their lives without pain or hesitancy,
The place does not matter: cypress laurel, lily white,
Scaffold, open field, conflict or martyrdom’s site,
It is the same if asked by home and Country.

I die as I see tints on the sky b’gin to show
And at last announce the day, after a gloomy night;
If you need a hue to dye your matutinal glow,
Pour my blood and at the right moment spread it so,
And gild it with a reflection of your nascent light!

My dreams, when scarcely a lad adolescent,
My dreams when already a youth, full of vigor to attain,
Were to see you, gem of the sea of the Orient,
Your dark eyes dry, smooth brow held to a high plane
Without frown, without wrinkles and of shame without stain.

My life’s fancy, my ardent, passionate desire,
Hail! Cries out the soul to you, that will soon part from thee;
Hail! How sweet ’tis to fall that fullness you may acquire;
To die to give you life, ‘neath your skies to expire,
And in your mystic land to sleep through eternity!

If over my tomb some day, you would see blow,
A simple humble flow’r amidst thick grasses,
Bring it up to your lips and kiss my soul so,
And under the cold tomb, I may feel on my brow,
Warmth of your breath, a whiff of your tenderness.

Let the moon with soft, gentle light me descry,
Let the dawn send forth its fleeting, brilliant light,
In murmurs grave allow the wind to sigh,
And should a bird descend on my cross and alight,
Let the bird intone a song of peace o’er my site.

Let the burning sun the raindrops vaporize
And with my clamor behind return pure to the sky;
Let a friend shed tears over my early demise;
And on quiet afternoons when one prays for me on high,
Pray too, oh, my Motherland, that in God may rest I.

Pray thee for all the hapless who have died,
For all those who unequalled torments have undergone;
For our poor mothers who in bitterness have cried;
For orphans, widows and captives to tortures were shied,
And pray too that you may see you own redemption.

And when the dark night wraps the cemet’ry
And only the dead to vigil there are left alone,
Don’t disturb their repose, don’t disturb the mystery:
If you hear the sounds of cithern or psaltery,
It is I, dear Country, who, a song t’you intone.

And when my grave by all is no more remembered,
With neither cross nor stone to mark its place,
Let it be plowed by man, with spade let it be scattered
And my ashes ere to nothingness are restored,
Let them turn to dust to cover your earthly space.

Then it doesn’t matter that you should forget me:
Your atmosphere, your skies, your vales I’ll sweep;
Vibrant and clear note to your ears I shall be:
Aroma, light, hues, murmur, song, moanings deep,
Constantly repeating the essence of the faith I keep.

My idolized Country, for whom I most gravely pine,
Dear Philippines, to my last goodbye, oh, harken
There I leave all: my parents, loves of mine,
I’ll go where there are no slaves, tyrants or hangmen
Where faith does not kill and where God alone does reign.

Farewell, parents, brothers, beloved by me,
Friends of my childhood, in the home distressed;
Give thanks that now I rest from the wearisome day;
Farewell, sweet stranger, my friend, who brightened my way;
Farewell, to all I love. To die is to rest.

Annotations: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal

Literary And Poetic Devices: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal

Themes: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal

🕊️ 1. Patriotism and National Sacrifice: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal centers on the theme of patriotism, presenting the poet’s willingness to die for the Philippines as the highest act of love. Rizal views martyrdom not with fear but with pride, offering his life to the “Pearl of the Orient Sea”—a metaphor for the Philippines. In the first stanza, he writes, “With gladness I give you my life, sad and repressed,” which shows the depth of his sacrifice. He compares his blood to the dawn’s color (“Pour my blood and at the right moment spread it so”), symbolizing how even his death becomes part of the nation’s awakening. Through these lines, Rizal affirms that national liberty is worth every drop of blood, framing his execution as a heroic offering for future generations.

⚰️ 2. Death as Rest and Liberation: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal presents death not as an end but as peaceful rest, especially when it serves a greater cause. Rizal demystifies dying by calling it “to rest from the wearisome day,” emphasizing that death, when it brings freedom to others, is not something to mourn. In the final stanza, he writes, “To die is to rest,” showing his spiritual acceptance. He finds peace in the idea that his grave can be forgotten—as long as his death nourishes the land: “Let them turn to dust to cover your earthly space.” This cyclical imagery (🔄) reflects death as part of life’s natural process, not something to be feared. Rizal accepts his fate because it serves the greater purpose of national dignity and liberation.

🌄 3. Immortality Through Legacy: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal also explores the theme of immortality—not of the body, but of ideals and love for the nation. Even after death, Rizal imagines himself living through the country’s natural elements: “Your atmosphere, your skies, your vales I’ll sweep… constantly repeating the essence of the faith I keep.” This suggests that his spirit will live on in the Philippine landscape, in sounds and colors. He refuses to be erased—even if “neither cross nor stone” marks his grave—because he believes his sacrifice will echo in national memory. This theme reveals how heroes live forever through their principles and enduring impact, even when their names are forgotten. 🕊️

🙏 4. Prayer, Peace, and Spiritual Reflection: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal has a deeply spiritual tone, portraying death as a time for prayer, peace, and reflection. Rizal not only prays for himself but asks his country to pray for all who have suffered: “Pray thee for all the hapless who have died… for orphans, widows and captives.” His tone reflects humility and spiritual surrender. He also invites natural elements—“the moon,” “the wind,” “the bird”—to keep vigil at his grave, creating a peaceful scene surrounded by serenity and divinity. The poem is structured like an elegy and a prayer, expressing both personal reflection and national mourning. This theme emphasizes the sacredness of sacrifice and the moral call to remember the oppressed and martyred.

Literary Theories and “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal

Critical Questions about “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal

Literary Works Similar to “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal

1. “If—” by Rudyard Kipling
   Both poems emphasize moral courage, inner strength, and the virtue of self-sacrifice in pursuit of a greater cause.
2. “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas
   Like Rizal’s poem, it powerfully reflects on death, urging emotional defiance and dignity in one’s final moments.
3. “I Died for Beauty” by Emily Dickinson
   Both poems meditate on death and legacy, suggesting that ideals like truth and beauty (or patriotism) outlive the physical self.
4. “The Soldier” by Rupert Brooke
   Both are farewell poems that present dying for one’s country as an honorable and spiritually fulfilling act.

Representative Quotations of “My Last Farewell” by José Riza

Suggested Readings: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal

1. Rizal, Jose, and Charles Derbyshire. My Last Farewell. San Antonio Press, 1964.
2. Rizal, José. “My Last Farewell.” JoseRizal.com, 2025, https://joserizal.com/my-last-farewell/. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.