File:A poem by Henry Lawson, 1914 (5516086346).jpg

This poem is part of our gallery celebrating the 50th Anniversary of State Records

In April 1914, Henry Lawson paid a return visit to Eurunderee public school, almost 40 years after he had attended as a young pupil. n addition to checking his entry in the Admission register, Lawson wrote some comments in the Visitors’ book, along with a poem which laments the absence of his name among students recorded in the Punishment book.

NRS 3931 School records – Eurunderee Public School Visitors book – entry for visit of Henry Lawson 20 April 1914, including poem composed during visit [4/7550] and School records, Eurunderee Public School Admission Register showing entry for Henry Lawson [4/7551] View on the Gallery »

TRANSCRIPT
On looking through the
Old Punishment Book
at Eurunderee School
April 20th 1914 –
A Dirge
I took the Book of Punishment
And ran it columns down;
I started with an open brow
And ended with a frown;
I dropped on long forgotten names
They took me unaware
I noted old familiar names
But my name wasn’t there!
I thought of what I ought have been
And, Oh! My heart was pained
To find, of all the scholars there,
That I was never caned!
I thought of wasted childhood hours,
And a tear rolled down my cheek
I must have been a Model Boy
Which means a Little Sneak!
“Oh! Give me back my youth again!”
Doc. Faustus used to say:
I only wish the Powers would give
My boyhood for a day
A Model Boy! Beloved of Girls!
Despised by boys and men!
But it comforts me to think that I’ve
Made up for it since then
Henry Lawson
Eurunderee 20/4/14

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