The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #62969   Message #1020313
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
16-Sep-03 - 08:45 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Billy Barlow
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Another 'Billy Barlow'
Are there two "Billy Barlow in Australia" songs?

The song published under that name by A. B. (Banjo) Paterson, with the exception of the odd word, is identical for the first three verses with "Billy Barlow's Emigration to Australia." Differences start with the last two lines of the fourth verse; the trouble with the 'blacks' in the Paterson version is replaced with trouble with 'bushrangers.'

The 'Toole' version has 8 verses, while the Paterson has 16. Verse 6-7 of 'Toole' is identical with 9-10 of Paterson. In other words, the 'Toole' version is either a shortened rewrite of the one in Paterson, or the latter is expanded from the former.

Joybell, in print, the Paterson version is always anonymous; can you definitely associate the more complete version with an author? Or, as you may be suggesting, is there still another version?

There does not seem to be a "Little Billy Barlow" in any on line collection. The only suggestion that I have is that Australian archives might have papers of Australian stage performers of the past that fit the time frame and the type of venue. Sometimes one gets lucky, but it is one hell of a job searching through the materials. The curator must be helpful as well- some won't accept you unless you fit a certain profile.