The following videos are now available.
Moreton Bay - convict ballad.
7 minutes
General convict history.
The story of the Death of Captain Logan of Moreton Bay
The Ballad of Moreton Bay (Frances Macnamara - Frank the Poet)
The story of Paddy Galvin - convict.
Bail Up! - The Ballads of Frank Gardiner the Bushranger
9 minutes 56 second
Frank Gardiner was one of the most successful bushrangers in as much as the authorities never found his haul. They did (eventually) catch Gardiner and sentenced him to a lengthy goal stint in Sydney's Darlinghurst Gaol but, because of public agitation, he was eventually freed, on the condition he left the Colonies. It is a fascinating story worthy of a blockbuster film. The clip features two Gardiner songs - 'Frank Gardiner Is Caught At Last' and a song by A.L.lloyd 'based' on a poem 'supposedly' written by Gardiner.
The Demon Drink. The Road To Gundagai
6 minutes 24 seconds.
Bush workers of the 19th century were said to 'work hard and play harder'. This segment talks about the role of alcohol in the shearing industry including the practice of 'lambing down'. The featured song is a version of 'The Road to Gundagai' which is also known as 'Lazy Harry's'.
The Iron Road - 150 years of Rail
6 minutes 23 seconds.
2005 celebrated the 150th anniversary of rail in Australia. It is a fascinating story. I was pleased to be associated with the RTBU (NSW) during this year and refer readers to the segment 'The Iron Road' on the menu bar for a detailed look at this industry. On this film I talk about railway history and sing 'Navvy on the Line' and a strike song 'The New Exhibits' which is typical of the bitter union battles of the early 20th century. This one discusses how scab laborers were housed in Sydney's Zoo (then at Moore Park). Apparently some of the other animals weren't too impressed by the new arrivals.
Shearing Songs
8 Minutes 31 seconds.
Sheep raising was, and continues to be, one of Australia's most successful industries. It also played a huge role in shaping our national identity. Featured songs are
'Gooriannawa' and Joe Watson's 'Tambaroora Ted', which is a version of 'Widgegowera Joe'
The Old Bush Songs
6 Minutes 7 Seconds
2005 celebrated the centenary of A B Paterson's classic book 'Old Bush Songs', and the publication of a new edition edited by Graham Seal and myself. It stands as one of the most important books in the pioneer book publishing industry. It was Paterson who recognised that with the population shift from bush to city (around the 1990s) that the old bush songs were in danger of being forgotten. Includes the shearing song 'One of the Hasbeens'
Bush Dance Music
3 Minutes 40 Seconds
Looks at the bush dance tradition and the history of the concertina in Australia. I am a relative 'new chum' to the playing of the instrument but I find it ideal for the old bush songs.
I play a few short tunes to illustrate the music.
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