I note a thread relating to this song in 1998.

The poem was originally written by my mother Dorothy Hewett and appeared in her first book of poetry, "What about the people" in 1960. It was put to music by Bill Berry in Brisbane in the following year, to a brilliant tune that I and my wife Adele have been singing ever since.

In 1963 a second tune was written by Chris Kempster in Sydney and recorded by Gary Shearston. I have not heard Martin Wyndham Read's version but suspect it may be the same tune. It's a great surprise to hear that the Fureys recorded it in modified form in 1965 (I'll bet they did not pay royalties) and that the folk process can still be so active.

Dorothy Hewett died on 22 August after a long battle with cancer and I am putting together a bibliography/discography of her works. If anyone knows of unusual recordings of her songs "Weevils in the Flour", "Norman Brown", "Sweet Song for Katie" or any other songs, or songs by her husband Merv Lilley "The Pickup Shed", "Birchgrove Park", "Cane killed Abel" I would appreciate a reply.