National Library of Australia

 

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

TRC 4/3A. View record

Mrs Grace McClerken and Aboriginal children from La Perouse. Lullaby. Recorded at La Perouse, New South Wales, 195-(?)

TRC 2221 C-3. View record

Nell and Dick Flook. Nursery songs. Recorded at Moss Vale, New South Wales, April 1982.

TRC 2222 R-07. View record

George and Ruth Blackman. Nursery rhymes. Recorded at Mudgee, New South Wales, 12 June 1984.

TRC 2222 R-32, R-33. View record

Eva Lynch and son Phil. Lullabies from Ireland. Recorded at Biddon, New South Wales, 15 October 1985.

TRC 2222 R-42. View record

Harry Dicks. Children's songs. Recorded at Timboon, Victoria, on 1 December 1984.

TRC 2222 R-97. View record

Elsie Walsh. Lullabies. Recorded at Nyngan, New South Wales, 7 June 1985.

TRC 2222 R 208. View record

Mrs. Linda - (?) (nee Schreck). German nursery song; half-German, half-English. Recorded in Tasmania, 1 November 1986.

TRC 2222 R 213-216. View record

Children from Huonville Infants School. Skipping and clapping rhymes. Recorded at Huonville, Tasmania, 5 November 1986.

TRC 2222 R226-227. View record

Children from Mudgee Infants School. Skipping and clapping rhymes. Recorded at Mudgee, New South Wales, 25 November 1986.

TRC 2222 R 228-229. View record

Children from Thirlmere Infants School. Skipping and clapping songs, rhymes for elastics. Recorded at Thirlmere, New South Wales, 8 December 1986.

TRC 2222 R 233-234. View record

Children from Thirlmere Infants School. Skipping and clapping songs. Recorded at Thirlmere, New South Wales, 18 December 1986.

TRC 2222/R331-334. View record

Elise Weisener. German language songs. Recorded 1988.

TRC 2222/R386-R387. View record

Barry Kennedy. Dandling song. Recorded 1989.

TRC 2590/2. View record

Val Turton. 'Rock All the Babies to Sleep'. Recorded 1990.

TRC 2590/1. View record

John Dengate. Recollections of his childhood. Recorded 1990.

TRC 2590/39. View record

C. Proctor. Recorded 1992.

TRC 2590/38. View record

Jack Williams. Recorded 1992.

TRC 2590/62-63. View record

Carrie Milliner. Her childhood. Recorded 1993.

TRC 2590/73. View record

Jack Guttie (Aboriginal stockman). Childhood games with crows. Recorded 1993.
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