1. CHRISTY SON OF ERIN
This song is about one of the many Irishmen who left Ireland to fight in foreign wars. Many did not return home as they were not always welcome.
“Christy sorry soul with a stain upon your heart”.
This song is about one of the many Irishmen who left Ireland to fight in foreign wars. Many did not return home as they were not always welcome.
“Christy sorry soul with a stain upon your heart”.
2. THE OTWAY LIGHT
This is in part a letter from a young boy to his mother as he was about to leave for Australia circa 1850. The Otway Light was Australia's oldest working lighthouse and it was often the first sight of land after leaving Ireland for the South Atlantic en-route to the Roaring Forties and Australia.
“I say goodbye forever, my sad and loving eyes”.
This is in part a letter from a young boy to his mother as he was about to leave for Australia circa 1850. The Otway Light was Australia's oldest working lighthouse and it was often the first sight of land after leaving Ireland for the South Atlantic en-route to the Roaring Forties and Australia.
“I say goodbye forever, my sad and loving eyes”.
3. TWO SONS OF A SPLITTER
There is a grave by the old swing bridge in Lorne Victoria. It says in part. ''Two sons of a splitter who's hut stood on the hill above, drowned here in quicksand and were buried next day. Ages 8 and 4, 1850.
“The desolate isolation, their fate left in God’s hands”.
There is a grave by the old swing bridge in Lorne Victoria. It says in part. ''Two sons of a splitter who's hut stood on the hill above, drowned here in quicksand and were buried next day. Ages 8 and 4, 1850.
“The desolate isolation, their fate left in God’s hands”.
4. THE LAST FISHERMAN
This is about the change and decline of the traditional fishing life.
“I’ve seen my children turn their backs, the old way is not for them”.
This is about the change and decline of the traditional fishing life.
“I’ve seen my children turn their backs, the old way is not for them”.
5. WILLIAM BUCKLEY WHERE ARE YOU?
This is the true story of an escaped convict given up for dead after he ran away in 1803 and lived with the local indigenous people who thought he was their ancestor returned from the dead.
“William Buckley show your face, you’ll not survive this dreadful place”.
This is the true story of an escaped convict given up for dead after he ran away in 1803 and lived with the local indigenous people who thought he was their ancestor returned from the dead.
“William Buckley show your face, you’ll not survive this dreadful place”.
6. ROAD OF HONOUR
The Great Ocean Road is the world’s largest war memorial and was built by returned 1st WW soldiers, many Irish amongst them.
“We will build this mighty road, this Road of Honour”.
The Great Ocean Road is the world’s largest war memorial and was built by returned 1st WW soldiers, many Irish amongst them.
“We will build this mighty road, this Road of Honour”.
7. A SONG OF WHISPERED SIGHS
My tribute to a friend who passed and is the only 'love' song on the album.
“It’s like a tear that never dries, it’s you and me, it’s last goodbyes”.
My tribute to a friend who passed and is the only 'love' song on the album.
“It’s like a tear that never dries, it’s you and me, it’s last goodbyes”.
8. SAY IT WHILE YOU CAN
Fathers and sons don’t always communicate as well as they could.
“Too many words are left unsaid, so say it while you can”.
Fathers and sons don’t always communicate as well as they could.
“Too many words are left unsaid, so say it while you can”.
9. OLD JACK
Jack Loney was a writer and story teller who lived on Victoria’s South West Coast . He wrote about sea lore and maritime history, myths and legends. This is a tribute to him.
“Farewell Jack”.
Jack Loney was a writer and story teller who lived on Victoria’s South West Coast . He wrote about sea lore and maritime history, myths and legends. This is a tribute to him.
“Farewell Jack”.
10. TOM AND EVA
Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael were the only survivors of the wreck of the Loch Ard, wrecked on Muttonbird Island on the 1st June 1878 within 24 hours of the Port of Melbourne.
“The call went up too late, to the sound of splitting timber, the Loch Ard met her fate”
Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael were the only survivors of the wreck of the Loch Ard, wrecked on Muttonbird Island on the 1st June 1878 within 24 hours of the Port of Melbourne.
“The call went up too late, to the sound of splitting timber, the Loch Ard met her fate”
11. LAY ME GENTLY DOWN
This is the voice of a passed soldier or victim of war. It can be taken as a plea for relief or, as Steve Cooney my co-producer sees it, a song about the ‘missing’ of the Irish 'troubles'.
“Let me dance like a child upon your hand”.
This is the voice of a passed soldier or victim of war. It can be taken as a plea for relief or, as Steve Cooney my co-producer sees it, a song about the ‘missing’ of the Irish 'troubles'.
“Let me dance like a child upon your hand”.
12. THE LOGGER’S LIFE
Logging has changed and whole towns in forests have gone. This is a reminiscence of a logger who no longer works the forests.
“Those days are gone forever, those families and those towns”.
Logging has changed and whole towns in forests have gone. This is a reminiscence of a logger who no longer works the forests.
“Those days are gone forever, those families and those towns”.