The Maori's Wool Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDE FFGHIIJJ KKLLLLDE MMLLLLDE DDDDJJDE NNOOLLDE| The Maoris are a mighty race the finest ever known | A |
| Before the missionaries came they worshipped wood and stone | A |
| They went to war and fought like fiends and when the war was done | B |
| They pacified their conquered foes by eating every one | B |
| But now a days about the pahs in idleness they lurk | C |
| Prepared to smoke or drink or talk or anything but work | C |
| The richest tribe in all the North in sheep and horse and cow | D |
| Were those who led their simple lives at Rooti iti au | E |
| - | |
| 'Twas down to town at Wellington a noble Maori came | F |
| A Rangatira of the best Rerenga was his name | F |
| The word Rerenga means a snag but until he was gone | G |
| This didn't strike the folk he met it struck them later on | H |
| He stalked into the Bank they call the Great Financial Hell | I |
| And told the Chief Financial Fiend the tribe had wool to sell | I |
| The Bold Bank Manager looked grave the price of wool was high | J |
| He said We'll lend you what you need we're not disposed to buy | J |
| - | |
| You ship the wool to England Chief You'll find it's good advice | K |
| And meanwhile you can draw from us the local market price | K |
| The Chief he thanked them courteously and said he wished to state | L |
| In all the Rooti iti tribe his mana would be freat | L |
| But still the tribe were simple folk and did not understand | L |
| This strange finance that gave them cash without the wool in hand | L |
| So off he started home again with trouble on his brow | D |
| To lay the case before the tribe at Rooti iti au | E |
| - | |
| They held a great korero in the Rooti iti clan | M |
| With speeches lasting half a day from every leading man | M |
| They called themselves poetic names lost children in a wood | L |
| They said the Great Bank Manager was Kapai extra good | L |
| And so they sent Rerenga down full powered and well equipped | L |
| To draw as much as he could get and let the wool be shipped | L |
| And wedged into a Cargo Tank full up from stern to bow | D |
| A mighty clip of wool went Home from Rooti iti au | E |
| - | |
| It was the Bold Bank Manager who drew a heavy cheque | D |
| Rerenga cashed it thoughtfully then clasped him round the neck | D |
| A hug from him was not at all a thing you'd call a lark | D |
| You see he lived on mutton birds and dried remains of shark | D |
| But still it showed his gratitude and as he pouched the pelf | J |
| I'll haka for you sir he said in honour of yourself | J |
| The haka is a striking dance the sort they don't allow | D |
| In any place more civilized than Rooti iti au | E |
| - | |
| He haka'd most effectively then with an airy grace | N |
| Rubbed noses with the Manager and vanished into space | N |
| But when the wool return came back ah me what sighs and groans | O |
| For every bale of Maori wool was loaded up with stones | O |
| Yes thumping great New Zealand rocks among the wool they found | L |
| On every rock the bank had lent just eighteen pence a pound | L |
| And now the Bold Bank Manager with trouble on his brow | D |
| Is searching vainly for the chief from Rooti iti au | E |
Banjo Paterson (andrew Barton)
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation
Write your comment about The Maori's Wool poem by Banjo Paterson (andrew Barton)
Best Poems of Banjo Paterson (andrew Barton)