Anderson's Coast John Warner

Subject: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 05:15 AM

Can anyone enlighten me to what the song is about ?

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Hrothgar
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 05:30 AM

It's about what happens to a convict whose stolen boat is wrecked in Bass Strait between Tasmania and the Australian mainland when he is attempting to escape from the penal colony of Van Diemen's land (now Tasmania, where the two-headers live).

I'm sure John will give more detail about how he came to write it when he sees this thread.

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 06:38 AM

Lyrics and discussion here
There's nought to do,
Keith

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 09:04 AM

Haunting song!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 10:12 AM

John sang us his new song tonight - a mix of Leonard Cohen & Little Johnny (our Prime Minuscule, often depicted by political cartoonists as a little boy playing soldier or something!)

he's a great writer of serious stuff & silly stuff, too.

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: JennyO
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 12:29 PM

Ah, just noticed this thread. I'll tell John about it. I don't know if he has ever seen the other threads either.

He's actually a mudcatter now, but hasn't posted for a while - he's having too much fun posting on model train forums, and redesigning his railway. He particularly enjoys making the buildings - a new one he has just made is a two-storey establishment with verandahs called "Kitty's". By the time he has finished, he says there will be figures of ladies of negotiable affection on the verandah, the sounds of honky-tonk piano and lighting to suit. Other buildings will be pubs with the sounds of sessions coming out - as well as the trains, trestle bridges, a dock and ships. Charley and Naemanson saw his present setup last year.

Actually, tonight he showed another side of his many talents at a party on the James Craig - joining in with the band playing blues harp!

The song about little Johnnie is sung to the tune of "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen. It's a hoot. He wrote it yesterday to fill in some spare time between shifts at work.

With regard to extra verses in "Andersons Coast", he says he always writes more verses for songs than he intends to use, and then selects the ones he considers to be the best to make an integrated whole. James Fagan and Nancy Kerr do a lovely version.

You can hear a little of "Anderson's Coast" on Margaret Walters' website here
Go to CD's, scroll down to songs on "Pithead in the Fern" and click on the notes next to "Andersons Coast". It's John singing it.

Jenny

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: JudyB
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 01:18 PM

The new song sounds great! I'd love to hear it - but it would be dangerous - there are just too many of his songs I'd love to learn. Unfortunately I don't do well playing by ear, so I expect it will take at least 6 months for me to figure out the chords for Kitty Kane.

I think the thing I find most amazing about John is that beautiful and powerful songs like Kitty Kane and Anderson's Coast come from the same place as I Am the Bunyip and Harley Dinosaur - which are stirring in their own fashion, but rather different in many aspects.

Thanks for the update!

JudyB

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 02:41 PM

Jenny

You've got me worried about Kitty's verandahs.... But I sing both Kitty Kane (with the extra verse) and Anderson's Coast (without extra verse) because they're wonderful songs!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 05:01 PM

Jenny and John-

As long as you're working on Kitty's verandah, don't forget accessories like a chamber pot to pour on eavesdroppers below.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: jack halyard
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 10:48 AM

Anderson's Coast is one of a collection I wrote to be used at Coal Creek historical village, Korumburra, Victoria.
I was looking at a number of stories about the development of that part of Gippsland.

I was reading about the expedition conducted by Count Strzlecki, who was close to starvation and living on raw koala brought down from the trees by an aboriginal guide, Charlie Tarra. The four or so men of the expedition found a group of convicts from Van Diemen's land living in a deserted stockade. These convicts fed the explorers, and guided them to Anderson, a local squatter who laid claim to about 40 miles of the Gippsland coast. There is still a small settlement called Anderson and Anderson's inlet. Anderson reported the arrival of the explorers and looked after them. It is believed the convicts were pardoned for their assistance to the explorers

I walked on one of those beaches when I was about 13 years old, on a cold, windy day with Bass strait looking as desolate as I had ever seen it, and that memory came forcibly back to me when I considered those marooned convicts, unable to travel further in any direction and eking out a miserable survival on feral cattle and bush tucker.
The thought of one of them sitting on that very beach, looking out southward and chewing over hopeless memories precipitated the song.

Anderson's Coast and a number of my other songs are on "Pithead In The Fern" which is a celebration in song of the development and history of the region I lived in during the 1960's.
Any railway freaks may enjoy "trainghosts" which includes the sound of a Victorian Railways J class loco approaching a crossing. A bit of a bugger getting the loco into the studio.

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 12:50 PM

Jack-

I know you'll be pleased to hear that Gordon Bok led "Anderson's Coast" at a concert last night in Maine at the Chocolate Church in Bath. He was backed up by his wife and a crew of men and women known as "The January Men." Bok stayed very close to your arrangement and the song was very well received by a packed hall of 300.

I will forward him your notes posted above.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Joybell
Date: 05 Jun 04 - 08:44 PM

Welcome jack halyard. Clever alias that. We've met a time or two. I have a trainfreak relative. Thanks for the link. Joybelle.

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: jack halyard
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 04:26 AM

Lots of nice stuff to reply to. Joybelle, I chose Jack Halyard because I'd been at sea on the James Craig, off Newcastle NSW, in rolling sea conditions and hoisted sail with a gang of noisy folks, using a shanty. I never expected to do such a thing in my life.So I grabbed myself a nautical label. Who's your trainfreak relative, I might be meeting them on one of the railway forums.

Thanks, Charley for the feedback, it's uplifting stuff to hear. My warmest regards to Gordon Bok, he did lovely stuff at Almost Accoustic, the most subtle playing on that glorious twelve string he plays.

As regards Kitty's verandah, I appreciate the suggestion of the chamber pot. A bit of a tough item to model at 1/4inch to the foot, but I'll have a go. I might even be able to set up an immanent eavesdropper situation with a few suitable characters.

Your good health all, Jack Halyard

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 10:18 AM

I used to be a trainfreak when much younger...

Now that chamberpot you're thinking about wouldn't be in the process of being emptied out the second floor window, would it? :-)

Robin

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: GUEST,Woodchip
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 12:00 PM

UK folk can likely hear Margaret Walters sing Anderson's Coast when she does some dates here through June/July.
There's a link to her website above thanks to JennyO
Dates are all there.

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Joybell
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 06:53 PM

Jack, my relative is Peter Semmens. He's in Cornwall. He was a big shot in the the UK train system and is now retired. He writes railway books about all sorts of trains and railways including the modern fast-trains. He refurnished Queen Victoria's carriage among other things.
He's had trains in his heart, so to speak, since he was about 3 and had some terrible fever. He wasn't supposed to make it through the night and then a steam train came past blowing it's whistle. He said something profound like, "Train!" or something, and after that he got better. His mother claimed it was the train that saved him.

She's fast as lightning, smooth as glass
Take your hat off and wave it as the train goes past!
                                                       Joy

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Joybell
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 06:55 PM

ROLLS past. That should be. Joy

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jun 04 - 09:07 PM

Jack-

Apparently my post this morning misfired. We'll try it again.

I've taken the liberty of forwarding another of your songs to Bok, "Kaikoura Railway Memorial,"(recorded on CD WHO WAS THERE) another one of your songs I can't get out of my head. Unfortunately, I also don't do a good enough job of singing it myself and Bok enjoys a challenge. I love the tune and the imagery.

Bok also is intrigued with your "The Horses of the World."

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 04:37 AM

Thanks John for the info I sung it twice yesterday and it's going down really good.

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 09:21 AM

Dear John Warner

I have learned Anderson's Coast from hearing it sung by Nancy Kerr and James Fagan.   I think it is a beautiful tune and a good story. On their cover they say how it is a true story and that the convicts led the explorer/botanist to safety and were pardoned.

When singing the song out with acknowledgement to you of course (in an entirely amateur capacity at folk clubs, singarounds etc) I would like to add an extra verse which I have written which tells of how they were saved, with the chorus changed to Annie dear please wait for me, I pardoned now I'll return to thee ....

Do you mind if I do this?

Best wishes
Eileen Ann Moore
www.acornfolkclub.co.uk    My email is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Mar 09 - 09:30 AM

Eileen-

A good question to ask John, as the composer of this fine song.

John, or "Jack Halyard" as he posts on Mudcat, does not monitor this forum closely but I'm sure some of his friends in Sydney will pass on your request to him directly.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Tangledwood
Date: 09 Mar 09 - 04:18 AM

If you haven't already tried, there is a contact link on The Roaring Forties site.

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Mar 09 - 05:39 AM

I also sent John an email last night.

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 09 Mar 09 - 09:03 AM

it's a fine song for harmonies-we (Hissyfit) sing it a lot

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: JennyO
Date: 30 Jan 14 - 10:46 AM

Well isn't it funny how these old threads get found again! I've been singing Anderson's Coast for a while over here in the UK (everyone here seems to know it) and Rob and I are starting to work on a version that we can sing together. I really like Nancy Kerr's harmonies, so I want to put some of those in, and Rob wants to do a few chords on the concertina. Those will be pretty basic but should fit in with the harmonies.

Rob asked me where Anderson's Coast was, and about the history, and this has led me to this thread and several others. What really tickled my fancy is that there is a post up there from Eileen Ann Moore about an extra verse she has written. We go to her folk club, the Acorn, regularly as our closest folk club (still an hour's drive away in Minehead) and I have sung the song several times there. I don't think I've heard her sing the extra verse - or indeed the song - since we've been going. Must ask her about that. I wonder if she ever got an answer from John!

Personally I think the song is perfect as it is and I wouldn't want to tamper with it. There was already at least one extra verse originally written and John chose not to include it as he felt it didn't add anything important and the general dramatic effect was better without it. But I think he has also said that he is happy for people to play with it, so who knows?

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jan 14 - 12:45 PM

google map Anderson Victoria Australia

South of Melbourne

On coast ,

Bass straits due south

then due further south Tasmania

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Jan 14 - 01:06 PM

Jenny-

Good to hear this song is still being worked on and enjoyed.

Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Oct 15 - 01:29 AM

G'day all,
Anderson's coast is about a convict escapee from Van Diemen's land or Tasmania, who is unable to leave the stretch of coast he has become marooned on. Based on the actual experiences of convicts around 1790's 1800's.
Re chords, there are no longer any official chords since I play it these days on 6 string, 12 string, bouzouki or unaccompanied.
Kim Poole's arrangement on Pithead In The Fern is DADEAB and is the setting that saved the song from obscurity. Kim showed me the DADEAB tuning which is how I play the 6 string most of the time.

Since the baby ran away from home with James Fagan and Nancy Kerr, she's dressed her self in a variety of costumes, so just enjoy yourselves and sing. John W

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 06 Oct 15 - 06:27 AM

I'll probably get stick for writing this but ----
The unfortunate consequence of a new song being a very good one is that the world and his wife pick it up. (You can all think of some other examples.) A few years ago I was hearing this one far too often. In particular I found the slow chorus, coming round again and again, tedious; albeit appropriate for the protagonist's tedious situation.

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 06 Oct 15 - 08:42 AM

Great song John.
Thanks for it.
keith.

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 Oct 15 - 10:28 AM

it is - & we sang it a couple of times on the weekend when John presented 2 workshops at a festival on the weekend.

We sang a lot of great songs.

sandra

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: hsempl
Date: 06 Oct 15 - 11:05 AM

Sarah White sang this beautifully this past weekend at the FSGW Getaway in West River, Maryland. I first heard this song when John Roberts sang it at the Navy Museum in DC for the Maritime Festival a few years ago. I found the structure with the double refrains (don't know if I'm using the right language for it, but you know what I mean) hauntingly lovely

Subject: RE: Anderson's Coast John Warner
From: ranger1
Date: 06 Oct 15 - 03:15 PM

Funny this thread should pop up just now. One of my highlights from the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival (Portsmouth, New Hampshire) happened Sunday morning before festival events started for the day. There was a young woman (late teens, early 20s) singing beautifully on a street corner as I walked by looking for a program. When I walked past again, she'd been joined by a slightly older woman, and they were singing some lovely harmonies. They graciously allowed me to sing along with them, and the second woman started Anderson's Coast, which the first woman wasn't familiar with, but I was. We must have sounded alright, because people were stopping to listen, including a decently-sized group of young girls dressed up in fairy wings.