"Bit left field/arty"

Depends upon the viewpoint of the individual.

Indeed, and Lawson's material is a good example. Chris Kempster, Phyl Lobl, Priscilla Herdman, Gerry Hallom and Mike Jackson are just the ones whose names I can remember who've had a go, and gold old Anon. has been responsible for a few settings as well.

I suppose you could argue that Lawson's poems were already halfway towards being folk songs; all they needed was a good tune. A bit like Kipling and Bellamy.

Cheers, Rowan