FROM THE JOHN MEREDITH COLLECTION
Access conditions: Open access
John Meredith AO (1920-2001) was one of Australia's most distinguished folklorists and collectors of folklore such as music, song, dance, stories and children's games. His documentation of Australian folklore included sound recordings, photographs and films, and he published a number of books and research studies on topics as wide as rhyming slang and Ned Kelly. John Meredith was a member of the original Bushwhackers Band and played at traditional Australian bush dances for many years. He began recording bush music in 1953. In 1982 John Meredith was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his contribution to the collection and preservation of Australian folk traditions, and in 1992 was made a member of the Order of Australia.
Selected excerpt from this collection
Mr Harry Dicks sang an unusual version of the old folk-song, 'If You'll Marry Me', which is sung in many different versions in most English-speaking countries:
I'll get you a little waterin' can
To water your flowers when the sun goes down;
If you'll marry, marry, marry, marry,
If you'll marry me.
I don't want your little waterin' can
To water me flowers when the sun goes down;
I won't marry, marry, marry, marry,
I won't marry you.
Children's folklore items found in this collection
Mrs Grace McClerken and Aboriginal children from La Perouse. Lullaby. Recorded at La Perouse, New South Wales, 195-(?)
Nell and Dick Flook. Nursery songs. Recorded at Moss Vale, New South Wales, April 1982.
George and Ruth Blackman. Nursery rhymes. Recorded at Mudgee, New South Wales, 12 June 1984.
Eva Lynch and son Phil. Lullabies from Ireland. Recorded at Biddon, New South Wales, 15 October 1985.
Harry Dicks. Children's songs. Recorded at Timboon, Victoria, on 1 December 1984.
Elsie Walsh. Lullabies. Recorded at Nyngan, New South Wales, 7 June 1985.
Mrs. Linda - (?) (nee Schreck). German nursery song; half-German, half-English. Recorded in Tasmania, 1 November 1986.
Children from Huonville Infants School. Skipping and clapping rhymes. Recorded at Huonville, Tasmania, 5 November 1986.
Children from Mudgee Infants School. Skipping and clapping rhymes. Recorded at Mudgee, New South Wales, 25 November 1986.
Children from Thirlmere Infants School. Skipping and clapping songs, rhymes for elastics. Recorded at Thirlmere, New South Wales, 8 December 1986.
Children from Thirlmere Infants School. Skipping and clapping songs. Recorded at Thirlmere, New South Wales, 18 December 1986.
Elise Weisener. German language songs. Recorded 1988.
Barry Kennedy. Dandling song. Recorded 1989.
Val Turton. 'Rock All the Babies to Sleep'. Recorded 1990.
John Dengate. Recollections of his childhood. Recorded 1990.
C. Proctor. Recorded 1992.
Jack Williams. Recorded 1992.
Carrie Milliner. Her childhood. Recorded 1993.
Jack Guttie (Aboriginal stockman). Childhood games with crows. Recorded 1993.