[1] Reviewing Joe Wilson and His Mates in The Sydney Morning Herald a writer noted "It has been said that Mr Lawson's knowledge of the Australian bush was at the best but second-hand, but this criticism has not been made or endorsed by bushmen in a literary sense, he "owed" them.

"[2] Binod Mishra, in examining Henry Lawson's poetry for The Atlantic Literary Review stated that "The poem...is a remarkable example of his patriotic feeling which grows jingoistic at times.

The poet's home rests in his coveted country which has a long history of struggle.

The chequered history of Australia comprises the indigenous people facing the threat to their existence by none other than the aliens who in the name of enriching the land depleted it by means fair or foul.

One can find the poet admonishing the English people who made the real natives suffer.