The mountain road goes up and down,
From Gundagai to Tumut town.
And branching off there runs a track,
Across the foothills grim and black,
Across the plains and ranges grey
To Sydney city far away.
It came by chance one day that I
From Tumut rode to Gundagai,
And reached about the evening tide
The crossing where the roads divide;
And, waiting at the crossing place,
I saw a maiden fair of face,
With eyes of deepest violet blue,
And cheeks to match the rose in hue —
The fairest maids Australia knows
Are bred among the mountain snows.
Then, fearing I might go astray,
I asked if she could show the way.
Her voice might well a man bewitch —
Its tones so supple, deep, and rich.
'The tracks are clear,'she made reply,
'And this goes down to Sydney town,
And that one goes to Gundagai.'
Then slowly, looking coyly back,
She went along the Sydney track.
And I for one was well content
To go the road the lady went;
But round the turn a swain she met —
The kiss she gave him haunts me yet!
I turned and travelled with a sigh
The lonely road to Gundagai.
I am busy working to bring Banjo Paterson's "The Road to Gundagai" to life through some unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you later.
In the meantime, I invite you to explore the poem's themes, structure, and meaning. You can also check out the gallery for other musical arrangements or learn more about Banjo Paterson's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "The Road to Gundagai" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.