History – Page 4 – Simply Australia

18 September 201521 November 2022

Rev John McGarvie and The Exile of Erin

In 1972 I purchased a copy of Alex Hood’s Boomerang Songster No 1, Australian Folk Songs. It contained songs from Alex’s LP recording The First Hundred Years, which included the song The Exile of Erin. This convict lament, its setting the foot of the Blue Mountains at Emu Plains, had caught my attention when I first heard Alex’s recorded version of it. There had been a penal settlement established at Emu Plains in Governor Macquarie’s term in office. In April 1827 there were over 134 convicts housed there.

Road leading to punt site. The manse property was on the left

As I started learning to sing Australian traditional folk songs, I made a point of including The Exile of Erin in my repertoire. Continue reading “Rev John McGarvie and The Exile of Erin”

9 July 201120 December 2022

The Eugowra Gold Escort Robbery

written and sung by Jim Low. Read the lyrics

When I walk
I do not know
what ancient sacred place
my foot may desecrate
or if my tread shall fall
where some cult-hero bled,
or shed blood,
or gave fire to man
in the far dreamtime.

(from the poem Intruder by Ian Mudie)

15 October 200920 December 2022

At Stringybark Creek

written and sung by Jim Low
read the lyrics

© Jim Low

On my last trip to Victoria in July this year, I deliberately planned to spend the night in Benalla so I would have time to visit Stringybark Creek. This was the place where, on 26 October 1878, the Kelly gang, comprising Ned and Dan Kelly, Steve Hart and Joe Byrne, confronted a party of policemen who were out searching for them.

21 April 200921 November 2022

The Spent Dollar

As the years roll by many customs, tools and words that were once in daily use fade from normal life, living on only in the minds of those that have experienced their presence. Eventually that which was once an integral part of every day existence is known only to the occasional historian or folklorist. Continue reading “The Spent Dollar”