Uncategorized
-
Easter Mourning
by Lisa Christensen Back in 1999, I was here in Canberra at the festival when I got a call that my Mum had had an aneurysm. I had to quickly pack up and head home to Melbourne and this tune was inspired by those events. Continue reading
-
Born to Play
by Allye Sinclair Composed in 2023. Violin and Cello Duet Version Continue reading
-
Stuck by the Road
by Jeremiah Rose Composed in 2016. Lyrics Verse 1 One morning when my car broke down Stuck by the road And the sun it shone like gold and ochre I had nothing to do for three sweet hours Apart from listen to the sound Of the sheep and of the cows And I wish that Continue reading
-
Shackled
by Ruth Hazleton This song was written for Nûdem Durak, a Kurdish musician sentenced to nineteen years’ imprisonment in Turkey for teaching young people traditional song and dance. The song also references the feminist Kurdish female fighters of the Yekîneyên Parastina Jin (YPJ) who play a fundamental role in military operations in the region. Durak Continue reading
-
The Rains
by Marcus Bornstein Composed in 2018. Lyrics Verse 1 Won’t you tell me, if or when we’ll ever see those rains again. I’ll wait for you at the main bus station with a coffee cup full of patience I’d sing to you and ease your worries I’d stick with you like sweet sweet honey You’d Continue reading
-
Norfolk Pines
by Niall Trainor A song about a young man migrating to a coastal town called Port Fairy in Victoria. Originally performed in Ab with a capo on the 1st fret. Composed in 2021. Lyrics Verse 1 Roving trail carved by you Winter is gone and the flowers start to bloom Well I’ve go a Jon on Continue reading
-
Later on in Life Love
by Marni Sheehan Many couples get together after previous marriages and divorce. This song paints an optimistic picture. Composed in 2005. Lyrics Verse 1 We got together. What a classic You were cretaceous and I’m Jurassic We got another chance, later on in life romance On the weekend, in the camper Snuggled up drinkin’ tea Continue reading
-
The Killing Times
by Ruth Hazleton A song acknowledging the horror of Australia’s frontier wars and the continued act of colonisation implied when we refuse to embrace ‘truth-telling’ about our colonial history. The song recognises storytelling, retelling and remembering as powerful forms of protest and healing. I wrote it after having long conversations online with Patrick Davies from Fitzroy Crossing, Continue reading
-
I Remember You
by Martin Ruane I wrote this song for my sister Maria who passed away suddenly December, 2011. When people pass away, our memories of our shared times together lives on through them and this can help with the pain of losing them. Composed in 2012. Lyrics Verse 1 I remember you, I remember you tonight, Continue reading
-
Hume Highway
by Marni Sheehan Impressions from driving up the Hume highway for the first time in many years. Originally performed in Gm with Capo on the 3rd fret. Composed in 2014. Lyrics Verse 1 Hume Highway headin out of town Hot north wind and the sun beatin’ down Hume Highway callin’ to me Get out on the Continue reading
About Melbourne Tune collection
Melbourne Tune Collection records and publishes original folk tunes and songs from around Australia.
I started this project after realising that I barely knew any Australian folk tunes, even though I’ve been playing the fiddle for almost two decades. It wasn’t that Australians weren’t writing tunes, it’s just that there was limited publishing opportunities for them.
I thought maybe if I collect these tunes and put them together, they would have a better chance of getting played. So in early 2019 I set off with my camera and recorder, first around Melbourne, then across Australia.
This site is the result of these travels. Its purpose is to make Australian folk music as accessible as possible and promote the incredible music that’s being written today. I genuinely believe that there’s something special happening in the Melbourne and Australian folk music scenes right now.
I hope you enjoy playing through these tunes as much as I have!
Katherine Oleinikov
Melbourne Tune Collection 