Will you, old turnip, be my Valentine?
Posted: February 14, 2011 Filed under: romance | Tags: C J Dennis, language, poetry, Valentine's Day, verse 1 Comment
Sixty years ago, The Mail (Adelaide) printed a few, somewhat different, valentine verses of in cartoon form. Here’s one example:
Another verse in the same set of cartoons, if you can manage it ….. from a ‘country boy’
Dear Sarah, be my Valentine
I’ll share my wealth if you’ll be mine.
And in your beaut new satin blouse
Oh you’d look bonzer* milking cows.
* Bonzer– excellent.
.
On 9 February 1938, The Queenslander published two Modern Valentines by “Den”, a somewhat more experienced poet. “Den” was C J Dennis (1876-1938) who gave Australia The Sentimental Bloke. How could you resist? “Will you, old turnip, be my Valentine?” You will see that her response was equally amusing – “I’ve had you tabbed for ages” and “Why all the drivel?” Happy Valentine’s Day.
[…] or other (and I know not why) I keep finding references (see here and here) to C J Dennis, Australian poet, journalist, columnist and now, I discover, author of […]