Joy Durst Memorial Australian Song Collection
Mar 16, 2023
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Joy Durst Memorial Australian Song CollectionThis book is available in each of the following formats:
Format A The score contains only the text of 1 verse Format B The score contains the text of all verses Format Digital Both Format A and Format B are included
Publication Information
Historical Note It appears that the Joy Durst Memorial Australian Song Collection may have grown from a folder of fifty nine songs, which was then updated to a folder of 62 songs. (reference to an index of songs for a loose leaf collection held by Keith McKenry, donated by Jim Smith) From this index, it is apparent that these two folders had a total of 65 songs in them including two versions of Waltzing Matilda. All of these songs, excluding one version of Waltzing Matilda, Auld Lang Syne, The Ram of Dalby, and The Road to Gundagai, The Stockmen of Australia, and Snowy River Roll, are included in what appears to have been the original Joy Durst Memorial Australian Song Collection, which appears to have been produced as a quarto sized folder of 100 songs with no page numbers, but with song numbers.
It is curious to note that in the available copies of the Joy Durst Memorial Australian Song Collection, the first fifty songs are in alphabetical order and then the second fifty songs, are in alphabetical order. The reason for this grouping has not yet been ascertained.
In 1980, the songbook was revised and re-published as a bound songbook of 100 songs with page numbers. This version of the songbook identifies itself with a “Re-published 1980” note, and a Preface, which says that the first collection was first published in 1970, and the 1970 version had 100 songs. It also states that this version has the same 100 songs as the 1970 version, although the music has been revised and some verses added.
Publication First edition, 1970 Published by Victorian Folk Music Club.
Second edition, 1980 (revised, and added to) Published by Victorian Folk Music Club.
Third edition, 2020 (revised, added to, format has 3 options [A, B, and electronic], includes digital data and references) Published by Victorian Folk Music Club. ©Copyright Victorian Folk Music Club Victorian Folk Music Club Joy Durst Memorial Australian Song Collection Victorian Folk Music Club; PO Box 215, Ringwood East, 3135; Reg No A2511Y; ABN 28 668 156 704; ISBN 978-0-6487908-2-2 1. Folksongs, Australian. 2. Ballads, Australian. I Title.
Contents i
Song No Page Contents …................................... i Preface to the 1970 edition …................................... v Preface to 1980 edition …................................... vi Preface to 2019 edition …................................... vi Acknowledgements …................................... vii Explanation of Changes Incorporated in the 2019 edition
Numbering …................................... ix Format A and B …................................... ix
Tempo …................................... ix
Resource Data …................................... x Songs
Bound for South Australia …................................... 1 A Bush Lullaby …................................... 2 Charlie Mopps …................................... 3 The Cockies of Bungaree …................................... 4 The Codfish Shanty …................................... 5 The Dying Stockman …................................... 6 Farewell to Greta …................................... 7 Flash Jack from Gundagai …................................... 8 Flow On, Sweet Mitta …................................... 9 Four Little Johnny Cakes …................................... 10 A Gum Tree Canoe …................................... 11 The Kellys, Byrne and Hart …................................... 12 The Kookaburra Laughed …................................... 13 Lazy Harry's …................................... 14 A Nautical Yarn …................................... 15 The Old Keg of Rum …................................... 16 On the Queensland Railway Lines …................................... 17 One of the Has-Beens …................................... 18 Put a Light in Every Country Window …................................... 19 The Ryebuck Shearer …................................... 20 The Shearer's Dream …................................... 21 The Sparrow and the Emu's Egg …................................... 22 Waltzing Matilda …................................... 23 Widgegoweera Joe …................................... 24 Wild Rover …................................... 25 The Albury Ram …................................... 26 Andy's Gone with Cattle …................................... 27 The Ballad of Ben Hall …................................... 28 The Banks of the Condamine …................................... 29
Contents (continued) ii
Song No Page
The Black Velvet Band …................................... 30 Bold Tommy Payne …................................... 31 The Broken-down Squatter …................................... 32 The Bullockies' Ball …................................... 33 Cane Killed Abel …................................... 34 The Drover's Dream …................................... 35 Euabalong Ball …................................... 36 Eumerella Shore …................................... 37 The Hut that's Upside Down …................................... 38 Maggie May …................................... 39 My Old Black Billy …................................... 40 Nine Miles from Gundagai …................................... 41 The Old Bark Hut …................................... 42 The Old Bullock Dray …................................... 43 The Old Palmer Song …................................... 44 Old TI …................................... 45 Reedy Lagoon …................................... 46 Reedy River …................................... 47 Springtime Brings on the Shearing …................................... 48 The Wild Colonial Boy …................................... 49 With my Swag all on my Shoulder …................................... 50 Australia's on the Wallaby …................................... 51 Another Fall of Rain …................................... 52 Bold Jack Donohue …................................... 53 Botany Bay …................................... 54 Brisbane Ladies …................................... 55 Bullocky-O …................................... 56 The Catalpa …................................... 57 The Gum-Leaf Musician …................................... 58 Click go the Shears …................................... 59 The Inglewood Cocky …................................... 60 The Jolly Puddlers …................................... 61 Lime Juice Tub …................................... 62 Little Fish …................................... 63 Look Out Below …................................... 64 The Miner …................................... 65 Moreton Bay …................................... 66 Muddy Old Yarra …................................... 67 Our Fathers Cleared the Bush …................................... 68 The Overlanders …................................... 69 The Queensland Whalers …................................... 70 The Rabbiter's Song …................................... 71 Shining Moon …................................... 72 The Streets of Forbes …................................... 73 Travelling Down the Castlereagh …................................... 74 A Thousand Miles Away …................................... 75 The Basic Wage Dream …................................... 76
Contents (continued) iii
Song No Page
Big Poll the Grog-Seller …................................... 77 The Billygoat Overland …................................... 78 Bluey Brink …................................... 79 Bryant's Ranges …................................... 80 The Canecutter's Lament …................................... 81 The Convict Maid …................................... 82 The Death of Ned Kelly …................................... 83 The Dogwood Itch …................................... 84 The F-111 …................................... 85 The Great Northern Line …................................... 86 Goondiwindi Song …................................... 87 It's On …................................... 88 The Lachlan Tigers …................................... 89 The Lovely Lasses of Innisfail …................................... 90 The Maryborough Miner …................................... 91 Shearing in a Bar …................................... 92 Ship-Repairing Men …................................... 93 The Steeplechase Riders …................................... 94 The Stockman's Last Bed …................................... 95 The Stranger …................................... 96 Stringybark and Greenhide …................................... 97 The Three Black Crows …................................... 98 Wallaby Stew …................................... 99 Weevils in the Flour …................................... 100
Abbreviations …................................... A 0 Notes …................................... A 1 Glossary …................................... A 2 Gazetteer …................................... A 3 Guitar Chords …................................... A 4 Index of Titles …................................... A 5 Index of First Lines …................................... A 6
Preface to the first Edition (1970)
The WORK and enthusiasm of many people have established the wide popularity of Australian Folk Music. Now Australians across the length and breadth of this continent are familiar with the ballads and songs that originated in shearing sheds, drovers’ camps, bush shanties and lonely cattle camps where the only musical instrument available was probably the mouth organ.
One of the people who did so much to bring this about was Joy Durst, a New Zealander who, coming to Australia as a young woman, became more Australian than a gum tree. She clothed herself in the songs of our people, made them part of her life, then passed them on to the singers coming after her. She was an unselfish woman who shared her discoveries with others.
In company with Frank Nickels, Joy Durst founded the Billabong Band early in 1955. (I remember the band well.) It
was through this band that I was first introduced to a number of Australian songs I would otherwise have never known. I appeared with it on Television some time later. It was a most successful night. I sat on the log before a camp fire with a dingo pup at my feet and told a few yarns which served as introductions to songs that carried on the mood. They sang “The Streets of Forbes” and I remember thinking then that it must be one of our greatest folk songs.
Later the billabong Band together with a number of enthusiastic supporters formed the Victorian Bush Music Club, a group which Joy became a most active member. The name was later changed to Victorian Folk Music Club on Joy’s suggestion.
She had great persuasive powers and that rare ability to instil into those around her an equal enthusiasm. Professional folk singers were introduced to Australian songs suited to their style and the influence of the V.B.M.C. spread far beyond the borders of Victoria. Young people liked her and it was her influence that started many of them along the road of the folk singer.
Joy died on April 27, 1964. It is fitting that these Song Collections should be published as a memorial to her. She would have appreciated that. She was a great collector of bush songs and when she died was at work on a collection for publication. These song collections take the place of that unfinished work. Many rare songs will be included but the basis of the collection was the repertoire of the Billabong Band. The music for these songs has come from many places including song books now out of print. (Those in the first collection have been selected because they had some special significance to Joy.)
I am sure she would have liked the collections. She was a warm-hearted lovable girl and left her mark in the folksinging world she did so much to encourage.
“May the grass grow green and tall” in your footsteps, Joy Durst. We will always remember you in these songs.
Preface to the second Edition (1980)
During the years since this collection was first published in 1970, the songs have been sung in many places – by club members and others – and several amendments and additions have been found desirable. This 1980 edition, whilst still comprising the same 100 songs now includes additional verses to some and revised music, but avoids any major changes to tunes which were originally chosen as the most suitable.
Preface to the third Edition (2020)
Since the last edition, the mechanisms available for distributing this songbook have changed dramatically. It was decided to digitise the songbook and work with small quantity desktop publishing. This naturally opened up a number of opportunities which were not available when this songbook was first published. The new technologies facilitated: production of the songbook on an as needed basis, standardisation of fonts and arrangements, electronic distribution as well as hard copy, access to historical records previously unavailable, access to geo-spatial data related to places referred to in the songs, production of sound files for the scores, provision of files enabling users to easily produce scores in different keys, and possibly most significantly, the capacity to make this songbook and hence these songs available instantaneously to millions of people throughout the world.
Many hours have been spent in recompiling this work, and despite our best efforts there may still be errors. But more importantly, there are judgement calls that have been made. Four people have worked together with most decisions being taken in committee. More often than not, the decisions were not unanimous, indicating how much personal perspective colours what we see as the “best outcome”. Probably the most significant change in approach came as we tried to put aside opinions based on “what I prefer” and tried to work out “what most others would prefer”. As you can imagine much passion, pulling of legs and laughter, was involved.
The changes and additions incorporated in this edition are described in detail in the section entitled “Technical Notes”. Also included in this section is the philosophy and considerations behind those changes and additions.
Acknowledgements (2020 Edition)
vii
Formal work started on producing this edition in 2016. Many people and organisations have supported the production of this edition since that time, and it is with pleasure and gratitude for their advice, support, and contributions that the editorial team acknowledge them here.
We would like to thank: • those people that did the initial transcription of the scores into Musescore, in particular: Jane
Bullock, Stan Ciuchak, Harry Gardner, Don Gingrich, Trevor Voake. • those people that helped with the proof reading of the scores and documents, in particular: Diana
Woodruff and Jane Bullock. • those people that were so generous in their provision of information used in the “Notes” section,
giving information on different songs, in particular, Sandra Nixon from the Bush Music Club. • those people that were so generous in their provision of information used in the “Gazetteer”
section, in particular: Mary Brettell from Brisbane Folk Club; Greg Hallam (Queensland Rail Historian); State Library of Victoria; Wagga Wagga Historical Society; Charles Sturt University Archives; Sydney Bush Music Club; Australian National Library.
• those that provided photos, in particular: Joanna Durst (front cover), Warren Fahey; Ross Draper Arthurs Creek; Macmillan family Arthurs Creek; National Wool Museum Geelong; National Museum Of Australia Canberra
• those that provided illustrations, in particular Joan Mundy.
Editors:
Explanation of Changes Incorporated in the 2020 Edition ix
Numbering Each of the songs has been allocated an individual number from 1 to 100. They are numbered in the order that they occurred in the original Joy Durst Memorial Australian Song Collection. In reformatting the songbook, it was noted that page numbers in this songbook would not be the same as in the original songbook. Because of this, song numbers have been utilised, and page numbers removed from that part of the book which provides the scores. This also allows for consistency given that the number of pages required for each song in the A format is not necessarily the same as in the B format.
Format A and B Each song has been reproduced in two formats.
Format A is in the style of the original songbook; that is, the first verse (and often chorus) are shown below the notes in the music score, and the subsequent verses are shown after the score in a purely text form.
Format B shows the words of all verses below the notes.
The production of the “B” format, often involved a significant amount of time, as the phrasing of any song can be a matter of personal preference. Nevertheless it was considered to be a valuable task, as the songbook is often used for group singing, and if singers wish to sing with the same phrasing, a reference is very helpful. The “B” format allows some guitarists to read the music / Chords at the same time as the verses.
After much deliberation, and in the interest of minimising cost, while maximising flexibility, it was decided to produce the printed version of the songbook using either the “A” format or the “B” format, while at the same time providing a version having both formats available in a digital version of the songbook.
Tempo For each song a suggested tempo has been placed at the start of the song. This is provided as an indication only, and many musicians will wish to vary this.
Introduction For each song an “Introduction” has been added. This should be taken as a suggestion only. It has been added to facilitate a coordinated start to the singing of each song.
Fill At the end of some songs a possible “Fill” has been provided, to allow singers to catch their breath between verses. In general this “Fill”, is what has often been used at the VFMC club nights.
Chords In general the chords have not been changed. In some songs suggested additional chords have been added, particularly where long stretches of a single chord were shown originally. A section has been added to the songbook which provides some information regarding the chords used throughout this book.
Explanation of Changes Incorporated in the 2020 Edition x
Notes A section providing information pertinent to a number of the songs has been added. This may include historical notes or clarification with regard to the version which is included in this songbook. This section does not aim to provide details with regard to the source or history of each song.
Glossary A glossary has been added as an aid to understanding the meaning of the songs. In choosing, what to add to the glossary, consideration was given to the future users of the songbook, and their probable experience base. The glossary therefore, includes the meaning of words used, the location of place names, as well as significant information regarding people or events.
Gazetteer A listing of place and feature names referred to throughout the collection has been included. Where possible, the place or feature has been located and information regarding each identified location has been included. The information is duplicated in the Google Earth add in file (kmz file) which is included with the resource data.
Maps Many stations, rivers, regions, towns, gold fields, and so on, are mentioned in the songs. The places that are located in Australia are shown on the back cover. They have also been stored digitally, together with Gazetteer information in a small file located on the resource disk. This file can be opened in Google Earth and displayed on a computer or similar device.
The mapping of these locations has highlighted an interesting fact: very few of the songs contain any reference to locations in Western Australia, The Northern Territory, South Australia, or Tasmania. In fact most of the songs refer only to the south eastern portion of mainland Australia.
The Google Earth file, located on the resource disk, maps all the courses of rivers mentioned in the songbook. It also gives a description of each of the locations and details in which songs the particular locations are referred to. The locations have been identified by a combination of current maps, historical maps (particularly the maps produced at the start of the 20th century depicting the locations of pastoral stations in each of Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria), and digitised historical newspaper references accessible through Trove.
Resource Data The resource data includes the following information and files:
1. A digital version of the Format A songbook for printing. 2. A digital version of the Format B songbook for printing. 3. A digital version of the songbook in pdf format for electronic viewing complete with hyperlinks
throughout the document connecting indexes and contents to particular songs, as well as the ability to toggle between A and B formatting and play a midi sound file for each song.
4. An mp3 of each song, allowing the user to hear the tune as per the score in the songbook. 5. Each of the Musescore files for both the Format A and Format B songs. This allows the user
to modify any of the parameters of the songs including tempo and key to suit their particular need. To do this the user will need to have access to Musescore (the songs were all produced using version 3 of Musescore.
6. Each of the “MXL” files for both the Format A and Format B songs. This allows the user to import the songs into most music programs currently in use.
7. A file which may be imported in Google Earth which shows all the locations referred to in the songbook together with descriptions and song cross referencing.
Songs
This section contains the one hundred songs from the original songbook.
In the printed version of the songbook, the purchaser chooses one of two formats:
• the first verse is shown under the notes, and the subsequent verses are shown at the end of the song.
• all verses are shown under the notes in the score.
In the electronic version of the songbook, all the songs are shown in two formats. In section “A” the songs are shown with only the first verse below the notes, and with subsequent verses listed at the end of the song (as was done in the previous editions of the songbook). In section “B” the songs are shown with all verses below the notes. The…
Format A The score contains only the text of 1 verse Format B The score contains the text of all verses Format Digital Both Format A and Format B are included
Publication Information
Historical Note It appears that the Joy Durst Memorial Australian Song Collection may have grown from a folder of fifty nine songs, which was then updated to a folder of 62 songs. (reference to an index of songs for a loose leaf collection held by Keith McKenry, donated by Jim Smith) From this index, it is apparent that these two folders had a total of 65 songs in them including two versions of Waltzing Matilda. All of these songs, excluding one version of Waltzing Matilda, Auld Lang Syne, The Ram of Dalby, and The Road to Gundagai, The Stockmen of Australia, and Snowy River Roll, are included in what appears to have been the original Joy Durst Memorial Australian Song Collection, which appears to have been produced as a quarto sized folder of 100 songs with no page numbers, but with song numbers.
It is curious to note that in the available copies of the Joy Durst Memorial Australian Song Collection, the first fifty songs are in alphabetical order and then the second fifty songs, are in alphabetical order. The reason for this grouping has not yet been ascertained.
In 1980, the songbook was revised and re-published as a bound songbook of 100 songs with page numbers. This version of the songbook identifies itself with a “Re-published 1980” note, and a Preface, which says that the first collection was first published in 1970, and the 1970 version had 100 songs. It also states that this version has the same 100 songs as the 1970 version, although the music has been revised and some verses added.
Publication First edition, 1970 Published by Victorian Folk Music Club.
Second edition, 1980 (revised, and added to) Published by Victorian Folk Music Club.
Third edition, 2020 (revised, added to, format has 3 options [A, B, and electronic], includes digital data and references) Published by Victorian Folk Music Club. ©Copyright Victorian Folk Music Club Victorian Folk Music Club Joy Durst Memorial Australian Song Collection Victorian Folk Music Club; PO Box 215, Ringwood East, 3135; Reg No A2511Y; ABN 28 668 156 704; ISBN 978-0-6487908-2-2 1. Folksongs, Australian. 2. Ballads, Australian. I Title.
Contents i
Song No Page Contents …................................... i Preface to the 1970 edition …................................... v Preface to 1980 edition …................................... vi Preface to 2019 edition …................................... vi Acknowledgements …................................... vii Explanation of Changes Incorporated in the 2019 edition
Numbering …................................... ix Format A and B …................................... ix
Tempo …................................... ix
Resource Data …................................... x Songs
Bound for South Australia …................................... 1 A Bush Lullaby …................................... 2 Charlie Mopps …................................... 3 The Cockies of Bungaree …................................... 4 The Codfish Shanty …................................... 5 The Dying Stockman …................................... 6 Farewell to Greta …................................... 7 Flash Jack from Gundagai …................................... 8 Flow On, Sweet Mitta …................................... 9 Four Little Johnny Cakes …................................... 10 A Gum Tree Canoe …................................... 11 The Kellys, Byrne and Hart …................................... 12 The Kookaburra Laughed …................................... 13 Lazy Harry's …................................... 14 A Nautical Yarn …................................... 15 The Old Keg of Rum …................................... 16 On the Queensland Railway Lines …................................... 17 One of the Has-Beens …................................... 18 Put a Light in Every Country Window …................................... 19 The Ryebuck Shearer …................................... 20 The Shearer's Dream …................................... 21 The Sparrow and the Emu's Egg …................................... 22 Waltzing Matilda …................................... 23 Widgegoweera Joe …................................... 24 Wild Rover …................................... 25 The Albury Ram …................................... 26 Andy's Gone with Cattle …................................... 27 The Ballad of Ben Hall …................................... 28 The Banks of the Condamine …................................... 29
Contents (continued) ii
Song No Page
The Black Velvet Band …................................... 30 Bold Tommy Payne …................................... 31 The Broken-down Squatter …................................... 32 The Bullockies' Ball …................................... 33 Cane Killed Abel …................................... 34 The Drover's Dream …................................... 35 Euabalong Ball …................................... 36 Eumerella Shore …................................... 37 The Hut that's Upside Down …................................... 38 Maggie May …................................... 39 My Old Black Billy …................................... 40 Nine Miles from Gundagai …................................... 41 The Old Bark Hut …................................... 42 The Old Bullock Dray …................................... 43 The Old Palmer Song …................................... 44 Old TI …................................... 45 Reedy Lagoon …................................... 46 Reedy River …................................... 47 Springtime Brings on the Shearing …................................... 48 The Wild Colonial Boy …................................... 49 With my Swag all on my Shoulder …................................... 50 Australia's on the Wallaby …................................... 51 Another Fall of Rain …................................... 52 Bold Jack Donohue …................................... 53 Botany Bay …................................... 54 Brisbane Ladies …................................... 55 Bullocky-O …................................... 56 The Catalpa …................................... 57 The Gum-Leaf Musician …................................... 58 Click go the Shears …................................... 59 The Inglewood Cocky …................................... 60 The Jolly Puddlers …................................... 61 Lime Juice Tub …................................... 62 Little Fish …................................... 63 Look Out Below …................................... 64 The Miner …................................... 65 Moreton Bay …................................... 66 Muddy Old Yarra …................................... 67 Our Fathers Cleared the Bush …................................... 68 The Overlanders …................................... 69 The Queensland Whalers …................................... 70 The Rabbiter's Song …................................... 71 Shining Moon …................................... 72 The Streets of Forbes …................................... 73 Travelling Down the Castlereagh …................................... 74 A Thousand Miles Away …................................... 75 The Basic Wage Dream …................................... 76
Contents (continued) iii
Song No Page
Big Poll the Grog-Seller …................................... 77 The Billygoat Overland …................................... 78 Bluey Brink …................................... 79 Bryant's Ranges …................................... 80 The Canecutter's Lament …................................... 81 The Convict Maid …................................... 82 The Death of Ned Kelly …................................... 83 The Dogwood Itch …................................... 84 The F-111 …................................... 85 The Great Northern Line …................................... 86 Goondiwindi Song …................................... 87 It's On …................................... 88 The Lachlan Tigers …................................... 89 The Lovely Lasses of Innisfail …................................... 90 The Maryborough Miner …................................... 91 Shearing in a Bar …................................... 92 Ship-Repairing Men …................................... 93 The Steeplechase Riders …................................... 94 The Stockman's Last Bed …................................... 95 The Stranger …................................... 96 Stringybark and Greenhide …................................... 97 The Three Black Crows …................................... 98 Wallaby Stew …................................... 99 Weevils in the Flour …................................... 100
Abbreviations …................................... A 0 Notes …................................... A 1 Glossary …................................... A 2 Gazetteer …................................... A 3 Guitar Chords …................................... A 4 Index of Titles …................................... A 5 Index of First Lines …................................... A 6
Preface to the first Edition (1970)
The WORK and enthusiasm of many people have established the wide popularity of Australian Folk Music. Now Australians across the length and breadth of this continent are familiar with the ballads and songs that originated in shearing sheds, drovers’ camps, bush shanties and lonely cattle camps where the only musical instrument available was probably the mouth organ.
One of the people who did so much to bring this about was Joy Durst, a New Zealander who, coming to Australia as a young woman, became more Australian than a gum tree. She clothed herself in the songs of our people, made them part of her life, then passed them on to the singers coming after her. She was an unselfish woman who shared her discoveries with others.
In company with Frank Nickels, Joy Durst founded the Billabong Band early in 1955. (I remember the band well.) It
was through this band that I was first introduced to a number of Australian songs I would otherwise have never known. I appeared with it on Television some time later. It was a most successful night. I sat on the log before a camp fire with a dingo pup at my feet and told a few yarns which served as introductions to songs that carried on the mood. They sang “The Streets of Forbes” and I remember thinking then that it must be one of our greatest folk songs.
Later the billabong Band together with a number of enthusiastic supporters formed the Victorian Bush Music Club, a group which Joy became a most active member. The name was later changed to Victorian Folk Music Club on Joy’s suggestion.
She had great persuasive powers and that rare ability to instil into those around her an equal enthusiasm. Professional folk singers were introduced to Australian songs suited to their style and the influence of the V.B.M.C. spread far beyond the borders of Victoria. Young people liked her and it was her influence that started many of them along the road of the folk singer.
Joy died on April 27, 1964. It is fitting that these Song Collections should be published as a memorial to her. She would have appreciated that. She was a great collector of bush songs and when she died was at work on a collection for publication. These song collections take the place of that unfinished work. Many rare songs will be included but the basis of the collection was the repertoire of the Billabong Band. The music for these songs has come from many places including song books now out of print. (Those in the first collection have been selected because they had some special significance to Joy.)
I am sure she would have liked the collections. She was a warm-hearted lovable girl and left her mark in the folksinging world she did so much to encourage.
“May the grass grow green and tall” in your footsteps, Joy Durst. We will always remember you in these songs.
Preface to the second Edition (1980)
During the years since this collection was first published in 1970, the songs have been sung in many places – by club members and others – and several amendments and additions have been found desirable. This 1980 edition, whilst still comprising the same 100 songs now includes additional verses to some and revised music, but avoids any major changes to tunes which were originally chosen as the most suitable.
Preface to the third Edition (2020)
Since the last edition, the mechanisms available for distributing this songbook have changed dramatically. It was decided to digitise the songbook and work with small quantity desktop publishing. This naturally opened up a number of opportunities which were not available when this songbook was first published. The new technologies facilitated: production of the songbook on an as needed basis, standardisation of fonts and arrangements, electronic distribution as well as hard copy, access to historical records previously unavailable, access to geo-spatial data related to places referred to in the songs, production of sound files for the scores, provision of files enabling users to easily produce scores in different keys, and possibly most significantly, the capacity to make this songbook and hence these songs available instantaneously to millions of people throughout the world.
Many hours have been spent in recompiling this work, and despite our best efforts there may still be errors. But more importantly, there are judgement calls that have been made. Four people have worked together with most decisions being taken in committee. More often than not, the decisions were not unanimous, indicating how much personal perspective colours what we see as the “best outcome”. Probably the most significant change in approach came as we tried to put aside opinions based on “what I prefer” and tried to work out “what most others would prefer”. As you can imagine much passion, pulling of legs and laughter, was involved.
The changes and additions incorporated in this edition are described in detail in the section entitled “Technical Notes”. Also included in this section is the philosophy and considerations behind those changes and additions.
Acknowledgements (2020 Edition)
vii
Formal work started on producing this edition in 2016. Many people and organisations have supported the production of this edition since that time, and it is with pleasure and gratitude for their advice, support, and contributions that the editorial team acknowledge them here.
We would like to thank: • those people that did the initial transcription of the scores into Musescore, in particular: Jane
Bullock, Stan Ciuchak, Harry Gardner, Don Gingrich, Trevor Voake. • those people that helped with the proof reading of the scores and documents, in particular: Diana
Woodruff and Jane Bullock. • those people that were so generous in their provision of information used in the “Notes” section,
giving information on different songs, in particular, Sandra Nixon from the Bush Music Club. • those people that were so generous in their provision of information used in the “Gazetteer”
section, in particular: Mary Brettell from Brisbane Folk Club; Greg Hallam (Queensland Rail Historian); State Library of Victoria; Wagga Wagga Historical Society; Charles Sturt University Archives; Sydney Bush Music Club; Australian National Library.
• those that provided photos, in particular: Joanna Durst (front cover), Warren Fahey; Ross Draper Arthurs Creek; Macmillan family Arthurs Creek; National Wool Museum Geelong; National Museum Of Australia Canberra
• those that provided illustrations, in particular Joan Mundy.
Editors:
Explanation of Changes Incorporated in the 2020 Edition ix
Numbering Each of the songs has been allocated an individual number from 1 to 100. They are numbered in the order that they occurred in the original Joy Durst Memorial Australian Song Collection. In reformatting the songbook, it was noted that page numbers in this songbook would not be the same as in the original songbook. Because of this, song numbers have been utilised, and page numbers removed from that part of the book which provides the scores. This also allows for consistency given that the number of pages required for each song in the A format is not necessarily the same as in the B format.
Format A and B Each song has been reproduced in two formats.
Format A is in the style of the original songbook; that is, the first verse (and often chorus) are shown below the notes in the music score, and the subsequent verses are shown after the score in a purely text form.
Format B shows the words of all verses below the notes.
The production of the “B” format, often involved a significant amount of time, as the phrasing of any song can be a matter of personal preference. Nevertheless it was considered to be a valuable task, as the songbook is often used for group singing, and if singers wish to sing with the same phrasing, a reference is very helpful. The “B” format allows some guitarists to read the music / Chords at the same time as the verses.
After much deliberation, and in the interest of minimising cost, while maximising flexibility, it was decided to produce the printed version of the songbook using either the “A” format or the “B” format, while at the same time providing a version having both formats available in a digital version of the songbook.
Tempo For each song a suggested tempo has been placed at the start of the song. This is provided as an indication only, and many musicians will wish to vary this.
Introduction For each song an “Introduction” has been added. This should be taken as a suggestion only. It has been added to facilitate a coordinated start to the singing of each song.
Fill At the end of some songs a possible “Fill” has been provided, to allow singers to catch their breath between verses. In general this “Fill”, is what has often been used at the VFMC club nights.
Chords In general the chords have not been changed. In some songs suggested additional chords have been added, particularly where long stretches of a single chord were shown originally. A section has been added to the songbook which provides some information regarding the chords used throughout this book.
Explanation of Changes Incorporated in the 2020 Edition x
Notes A section providing information pertinent to a number of the songs has been added. This may include historical notes or clarification with regard to the version which is included in this songbook. This section does not aim to provide details with regard to the source or history of each song.
Glossary A glossary has been added as an aid to understanding the meaning of the songs. In choosing, what to add to the glossary, consideration was given to the future users of the songbook, and their probable experience base. The glossary therefore, includes the meaning of words used, the location of place names, as well as significant information regarding people or events.
Gazetteer A listing of place and feature names referred to throughout the collection has been included. Where possible, the place or feature has been located and information regarding each identified location has been included. The information is duplicated in the Google Earth add in file (kmz file) which is included with the resource data.
Maps Many stations, rivers, regions, towns, gold fields, and so on, are mentioned in the songs. The places that are located in Australia are shown on the back cover. They have also been stored digitally, together with Gazetteer information in a small file located on the resource disk. This file can be opened in Google Earth and displayed on a computer or similar device.
The mapping of these locations has highlighted an interesting fact: very few of the songs contain any reference to locations in Western Australia, The Northern Territory, South Australia, or Tasmania. In fact most of the songs refer only to the south eastern portion of mainland Australia.
The Google Earth file, located on the resource disk, maps all the courses of rivers mentioned in the songbook. It also gives a description of each of the locations and details in which songs the particular locations are referred to. The locations have been identified by a combination of current maps, historical maps (particularly the maps produced at the start of the 20th century depicting the locations of pastoral stations in each of Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria), and digitised historical newspaper references accessible through Trove.
Resource Data The resource data includes the following information and files:
1. A digital version of the Format A songbook for printing. 2. A digital version of the Format B songbook for printing. 3. A digital version of the songbook in pdf format for electronic viewing complete with hyperlinks
throughout the document connecting indexes and contents to particular songs, as well as the ability to toggle between A and B formatting and play a midi sound file for each song.
4. An mp3 of each song, allowing the user to hear the tune as per the score in the songbook. 5. Each of the Musescore files for both the Format A and Format B songs. This allows the user
to modify any of the parameters of the songs including tempo and key to suit their particular need. To do this the user will need to have access to Musescore (the songs were all produced using version 3 of Musescore.
6. Each of the “MXL” files for both the Format A and Format B songs. This allows the user to import the songs into most music programs currently in use.
7. A file which may be imported in Google Earth which shows all the locations referred to in the songbook together with descriptions and song cross referencing.
Songs
This section contains the one hundred songs from the original songbook.
In the printed version of the songbook, the purchaser chooses one of two formats:
• the first verse is shown under the notes, and the subsequent verses are shown at the end of the song.
• all verses are shown under the notes in the score.
In the electronic version of the songbook, all the songs are shown in two formats. In section “A” the songs are shown with only the first verse below the notes, and with subsequent verses listed at the end of the song (as was done in the previous editions of the songbook). In section “B” the songs are shown with all verses below the notes. The…
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