Special Sub-Topic: A Bush Christening Click Here To Play: A Bush Christening

How many churches are on the outer barcoo?

few. On the outer barcoo where the churches are few, and men of religion are scanty..." "A Bush Christening" was first published in "The Bulletin" on the 16th of December 1893.

What is the first name metioned in this poem?

Michael Magee. "On a road never cross'd 'cept by folk that are lost, One Michael Magee had a shanty."

What sort of boy was Mike's son?

healthy. "Now this Mike was the dad of a ten-year-old lad, Plump, healthy and stoutly conditioned..."

Why didn't Mike have any rest?

Because his son was not christened. "He was strong as the best, but poor Mike had no rest, For the youngster had never been christened..."

What did Mike's wife cry?

If the darlin' should die, St. Peter would not recognise him!. "And his wife used to cry, "If the darlin' should die, St. Peter would not recognise him."

How did "that artful young rogue" overhear his parent's conversation with the preacher?

He was listening through the key hole. "Now the artful young rogue, while they held their collogue, With his ear to the keyhole was listenin', And he muttered in fright while his features turned white, "What the divil and all is this christenin'?"

What does the young boy think being 'christened' means?

being branded. "He was none of your dolts-he had seen them brand colts, And it seemed to his small understanding, If the man in the frock made him one of the flock, It must mean something very like branding."

Did the boy run into the bush and hide in log?

Yes. "So away with a rush he set off for the bush, While the tears in his eyelids they glistened- "'Tis outrageous," says he, "to brand youngsters like me, I'll be dashed if I'll stop to be christened! Like a young native dog he ran into a log, And his father with language uncivil, Never heeding the "praste" cried aloud in his haste, "Come out and be christened, you divil!" (A 'praste' is a priest).

What three names does the preacher say as he tries to remember the boys name?

Patsy, Michael, Dinnis. "Here he comes, and for shame! ye've forgotten the name- Is it Patsy or Michael or Dinnis?" Here the youngster ran out, and the priest gave a shout- "Take your chance, anyhow, wid 'Maginnis'!"

What does the boy end up being christened?

Maginnis. "Here the youngster ran out, and the priest gave a shout- "Take your chance, anyhow, wid 'Maginnis'!" The priest then flings a bottle of 'Maginnis's Whisky' at the boy's head as he runs howling out of the log.