Graham Dodsworth

The Nature of Folk Song in Australia: Origins and Transmission Graham Dodsworth

This book discusses the lack of consensus among academics and practitioners regarding definitions of folklore and folksong, and examines the essential characteristics and importance of the existence of folksong. The nature of folksong is further discussed via examination of the origins of songs Australians consider to be part of their heritage and the methods by which folksongs are transmitted, including the minor transformations which occur during transmission. The latter issue is demonstrated in a detailed history of Eric Bogle?s composition, ?And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda?. Australia?s folksong heritage has been influenced by a nation yearning for a unique cultural identity removed from the pre-existing unique indigenous identity and, as such, contains elements of invented traditions, more usually in an anglo-western style. The research involved interviews with performers, the use of printed works including broadsheets, and electronic media including e-mail bulletin boards and the world wide web where an unconstrained perspective of the ?common people? can now be found in abundance.