Harry Robertson (folk singer)
Encyclopedia
Harry Robertson was a Scottish
-born, Australian folk-singer/songwriter, poet and activist, who became a key figure in the development of the Australian folk music tradition.
Robertson emigrated from Scotland in 1952 where he worked in the whaling industry and wrote a number of songs and poems about the lives of the whalers without glorifying the industry. Among them were "Queensland Whalers", "Ballina Whalers" and "Wee Dark Engine Room" (the latter two covered by Nic Jones
as "The Humpback Whale" and "The Little Pot Stove" respectively). He also worked with the Welsh-born, Australian folk-singer, Declan Affley
.
Robertson and others established the Moreton Bay Folk Festival, also regarded as the 3rd National Folk Festival
, in 1969, and the Maleny/Woodford Folk Festival
in 1987, both in Queensland
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
-born, Australian folk-singer/songwriter, poet and activist, who became a key figure in the development of the Australian folk music tradition.
Robertson emigrated from Scotland in 1952 where he worked in the whaling industry and wrote a number of songs and poems about the lives of the whalers without glorifying the industry. Among them were "Queensland Whalers", "Ballina Whalers" and "Wee Dark Engine Room" (the latter two covered by Nic Jones
Nic Jones
Nicolas Paul "Nic" Jones is an English folk singer, fingerstyle guitarist and fiddle player whose professional career spanned the years 1964-1982. He recorded five solo albums, and was a frequent guest performer.-Biography:...
as "The Humpback Whale" and "The Little Pot Stove" respectively). He also worked with the Welsh-born, Australian folk-singer, Declan Affley
Declan Affley
Declan Affley was an Australian folk singer and musician. He was born in Cardiff, Wales, and became a seaman, jumping ship in Australia in 1959.- Folk singer and musician :...
.
Robertson and others established the Moreton Bay Folk Festival, also regarded as the 3rd National Folk Festival
National Folk Festival (Australia)
The National Folk Festival - Australia’s premier folk festival event – is a colourful and diverse family orientated celebration attended by over 50,000 people.It is the best Easter week-end in Australia!...
, in 1969, and the Maleny/Woodford Folk Festival
Woodford Folk Festival
The Woodford Folk Festival is an annual music festival held near the small country town of Woodford, 72 km north of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is one of the biggest annual cultural events of its type in Australia....
in 1987, both in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
.
Discography
- Whale Chasing Men: Songs of Whaling in Ice and Sun (1971)
- Harry's Legacy (Evan Mathieson 2008)
- Tribute to Harry Robertson 1923-1995 (Evan Mathieson 2009)