Lyr Req: What'll We Do In Broome? / Back to Broome

Subject: Lyr Req: 'What'll We Do In Broome?' (Aus) song
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 13 Jan 10 - 11:05 PM

Prompted by the "Bringing the Beer to Broome" thread, I thought it might be worth looking for this one.

The Roaring Forties (Sydney-based singers of shantys, sea-songs and beyond) have a song called "What'll We Do In Broome?" which supplies a cornucopia of ideas to occupy your time there. I can't find any trace of it on the web or on the CDs/tapes I have. Surprised it hasn't been adopted by the Broome tourist office.

Ross

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'What'll We Do In Broome?' (Aus) song
From: Bugsy
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 12:08 AM

It was written by Ted Egan many years ago. Unfortunately I cannot tell you which album it was recorded on and as Ted has about 400 albums to his credit, the best bet may be to ask him direct.

Ted Egans Catalogue

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'What'll We Do In Broome?' (Aus) song
From: Bugsy
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 12:13 AM

It's called "Taking you back to Broome"
and it's available
Right here!

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Req: 'What'll We Do In Broome?' (Australia)
From: rich-joy
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 12:52 AM

I have refreshed the Mudcat thread from 2002 which contains the lyrics.

Both Ted Egan's, and particularly Bloodwood's, versions were very popular around the NT in the 80s.

Cheers, R-J

Subject: RE: Req: 'What'll We Do In Broome?' (Australia)
From: Bugsy
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 01:19 AM

Lyrics

Cheers

bugsy

Subject: RE: Req: 'What'll We Do In Broome?' (Australia)
From: GUEST,Jack Campin
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 08:35 AM

Broome once made it into one of those Worst Postcards of All Time collections with a picture shot inside the slaughterhouse.

Subject: RE: Req: 'What'll We Do In Broome?' (Australia)
From: Rowan
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 05:29 PM

I recall Ted saying that, when he first became acquainted with folkies, shanties were 'all the go' but he didn't really understand what they were supposed to be about. He was also bemused by the lack of songs about the Top End and so started writing. Back to Broome was, as I recall, his version of what a Top End shanty might be like. And a ripper of a song.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: Req: 'What'll We Do In Broome?' (Australia)
From: EBarnacle
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 06:03 PM

It's a rippin' good song and it's easy for the crowd to join in. I am likely to do it at this Saturday's Chantey Sing at Seamen's Church in NYC.

Subject: RE: Req: 'What'll We Do In Broome?' (Australia)
From: gecko
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 08:11 PM

Sometime in the mid eighties Ted Egan did a deal with one of the airlines to ferry a plane load of us folkies to Broome for a festival. As I recall, Margaret Roadnight, Bernard Carney, Eric Bogle and Bernard Bolan were amongst the many performers including Alice Springs best - and boy, they were good in those days! "What'll We Do In Broome" was the anthem of course, and we gave it good voice, in fact many of us were hoarse when we got back home. Fantastic weekend of music and laughter, skinny dipping off Cable Beach at 2am and drinking the plane dry on our way home - but perhaps that was the airline staff's story after Ted's good friend Tommy Burroughs (RIP) fell down blocking the aisle again for the third time. He was not a man to deprive himself of a drink especially if it was free and anyway, he had spruiked all weekend in unique 'Burroughs' style and was probably a bit dry. OnYa Tommy!

YIU
gecko

Subject: RE: Req: 'What'll We Do In Broome?' (Australia)
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 12:07 AM

Thanks all. My earlier thank you seems to have gone to the black hole.
I emailed Margaret Walters (Roaring Forties) who forwarded my request to Tom Hanson who sings the song with the group. He supplied a reference to the thread that Bugsy linked to above. (It's also been refreshed). I've been promised a live rendition when I get to Sydney in a couple of months.

Ross