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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

A Swag man or a Hobo

The swag man of my childhood.
Carried his swag (sleeping blanket) on his back.
A blackened old billy to heat his tea.
And a few other items in an dilapidated sugar bag.




 I watched a program the other night featuring a man who has wandered homeless for forty years.
He used to be a bank teller.
Then he decided he wanted to roam free, go where he liked and live a natural life.
He draws no government money so I suppose he does, the same as the swaggies of old.

As a child growing up in a small rural community, we often had these men wander into our small farm.
If I was the first to spot one coming over our hill, I'd run to tell my mother.
She prepared a tray of food while he chopped us a load of fire wood.
Then, sitting on our garden bench, under two tall gum trees, this roamer would eat his fill.
He usually had two huge sandwiches, one filled with cold lamb the other tomato, or jam.
Also a pot of hot tea, with milk and sugar on the side, plenty for him to top up on.
I always sat on the ground and watched as he ate without talking.
When he was finished he returned the tray to mum and thanked her, before heading off.



I can't imagine such a life.
On your own with no one to talk to.
                                                        Sleeping out in the rain or cold.


There is a verse in the bible that reminds me of this....
Jesus replied, 
“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Luke 9: 58

I pray (if you haven't already done so), that you invite Jesus....
Into you home and life today. 



* My book can be purchased by clicking on the icon of it in the side bar.
All those who write a review after reading it, will go into the draw for a plush toy 'blue wing'  kookaburra, that laughs when pressed.
Contest closes on the 17th January 2012.

19 comments:

  1. I am hosting a Best of 2011 blog hop and would love to have you link up a favorite post of the year. My site is. http://www.shandaoakleyinspires.com

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  2. Love this story of the swag man. Oddly enough as a child in the cold, northern climates of Canada, we grew up singing some songs like "Waltzing Matilda" where I first heard about the swagman. We also sang a "Kookuburra Song". It wasn't until many years later that I visited your beautiful country.

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  3. Great pics in this post! Love your blog. Thanks for visiting me at Doorkeeper. Blessings!

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  4. Good to see this post again. Sometimes it's good to be reminded of just how much we have to be thankful for.

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  5. If you have Jesus, you have all you need.

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  6. What a terrific story (post)
    Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your world with us.

    Thank you for taking time to write us a Book (I'm still amazed - and thrilled) - AND - I feel wealthy, having you for a cyber-chum.

    Love & Love,
    -g-

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  7. Interesting post about the "swagman". I've never before heard that term - but very familiar with the "hobo". Here in the S.E. USA that term was used to describe the many people who drifted around the country looking for a hand-out. They were usually also those who rode the freight trains for free. My Dad was one of them and on his way to becoming an alcholic when the Lord changed his life at the age of 19. He was delivered from using bad language, smoking and drinking in one night! What a difference that made for all of us (his children).

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  8. This is a great reminder to be thankful for what we have.. So many of those still today.. more so than ever..Blessings, Susie

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  9. An interesting story, did you take these pictures? I just love your comparison of these men with the bible verse. Nowadays it can be pretty dangerous to feed these men or let them work for you, what with so many being on drugs...not like the old days. Your mom has a very good heart.

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  10. This took me back to my childhood. I remember what we would call 'Gentlemen of the road' They would call by at different times in the year and we would fill their cans with tea and give them some bread and jam.
    They would sleep under the Hayricks or in the barns. Some were well spoken educated men, obviously fallen on hard times.
    Indeed we have a great deal to be thankful for.
    Thanks for sharing Crystal.
    Love,
    Annx

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  11. No! not my pic's, I would feel rude to take a photo of someone suffering...

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  12. He was adventurer for sure but I don't think I could have or do that myself. Interesting though. sandie

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  13. Ol? Cristal María querida, mi nombre? Anuncio Salviano El
    blog, Una verdad sólo en su pr PRIA b BIBLIA??. la
    motivo de mi contacto? porque yo quería hacer una
    asociación en el nombre de Jesús, j? publicado un entrada de blog
    querido en mi lista de blogs, ¿verdad? luego a
    para comprobarlo, y te gusta ¿verdad? también? m
    después de mi blog en su blog, pero esta asociación?
    s? si lo desea.
    Que Dios los bendiga? Oe y esperamos escuchar de usted.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ol? Crystal Sea? A dear, my name? ad
    Salvian The
    blog, a truth s? it on your PRIA b pr BIBLE?. the
    reason for my contact? because I want? to make a
    association? n in the name of Jesus? s, j? posted a
    blog
    wanted on my list of blogs, right? then
    to check, and you like right? too? n? m
    next? s of my blog on your blog, but this
    association? n?
    s? if you want.
    May God bless you? Oe and hope to hear from
    you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. The reason for my contact? because I wanted to do
    a partnership in the name of Jesus, j? I posted the blog
    dear in my blog list, is there? then to
    to check it, and you would like? too? m
    post my blog in your blog, but this partnership?
    s? if you want.
    May God bless? Oe and look forward to hearing from you.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Very nice post Crystal Mary. I can so identify with those you call Swag Men. Unemployed many times in my life and having to live in unusual conditions, it brings back good memories.
    This much I will say; When you have nothing to tie you down and no one else to talk to, you do spend a whole lot of time with God. David was a shepherd and in consequence spent most of his early life alone with his sheep, guess who he spent time talking to.
    I would love to be able to go walk about.
    God bless you my Australian friend, from Geoff in sunny South Africa.

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  17. I enjoyed this post.

    I have been hitchhiking the United States for most of 15 years. Here is my book:

    "High Plains Drifter"
    http://www.amazon.com/High-Plains-Drifter-Hitchhiking-Journey/dp/1607033909/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325526201&sr=1-1

    ReplyDelete

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