Henry Lawson (1867-1922) was a short story writer, journalist, novellist and perhaps, most notably, a balladist. He contributed prose and verse to a number of publications including Bulletin, Daily Worker and Boomerang.

• IntroductionChristopher LeeJoe Wilson and His MatesPrefatory verses – the author’s farewell to the bushmenPart 1Joe Wilson’s courtshipBrighten’s sister-in-law‘Water them geraniums’:— 1. A lonely track— 2. ‘Past carin’’A double buggy at Lahey’s Creek:— 1. Spuds, and a woman’s obstinacy— 2. Joe Wilson’s luck— 3. The ghost of Mary’s sacrificeThe buggy comes homeThe writer wants to say a wordPart 2The golden graveyardThe Chinaman’s ghostThe loaded dogPoisonous Jimmy gets left:— 1. Dave Regan’s yarn— 2. Told by one of the other droversThe ghostly doorA wild IrishmanThe babies in the bushA bush danceThe buckjumperJimmy Grimshaw’s wooingAt Dead DingoTelling Mrs BakerA hero in Dingo-ScrubsThe little world left behindConcluding verses: ‘the never-never country’About the authorSelect bibliography