Ballad of Ernie Slow

As far back as the 1920's, men and women throughout New Zealand's Mackenzie
Country have spoken of Ernest (Ernie) Slow.

In many quarters he became legendry for his ballads, while in others he was branded for his alcoholism. Yet here was a man who loved the highlands of the Mackenzie. He loved the wide open spaces, where he felt at home with the sun on his face and the wind in his hair.

From lubricating the cracks in his skin at the Silverstream Hotel, to the verbalization of his ballads to a well-oiled audience, Ernie's path through life comes fully flavoured with humour and grief.
A must read.