Gum Tree Canoe

From Mrs J. Wilson of Saint Arnaud, Victoria. According to our member, Bruce Fraser, the tune is clearly derived from an American tune of the same name composed by S.S. Steele and first published in 1847, http://memory.loc.gov/music/sm/sm1885/18000/18094/001.gif. However the Australian melody is a little different and the lyrics have been altered to quite confused logic. Hence the oringinal US song is included here to show the folk process.

Resources:

• The Score of Mrs J. Wilson's music (PDF)
• The Score of Mr S.S. Steele's original.(PDF)
• The lyrics for Steele's song.(PDF)
• Listen to Wilson's tune (speed 50 measures per minute) (MP3)
• Listen to Wilson's tune (speed 30 measures per minute) (MP3)
• Listen to Steele's original tune (speed 50 measures per minute) (MP3)
• Listen to Steele's original tune (speed 33 measures per minute) (MP3)