Folklore Titles1.0

The following books form part of the series AUSTRALIAN FOLKLORE - OCCASIONAL PAPERS. They are important to anyone interested in the history and folklore of Australia. (Fred’s Crab and The Wealthy Roo are bush yarns only and not part of the series).


  • Australian Folk Song
     Not to be confused with Australian Folk Songs (1972), this new work indexes and comments on all the Australian folk songs that have been published, drawing particularly on 101 prime sources. 1,940 songs are noted (2,000 including nursery rhymes) plus words and music for 480 songs and texts for many others. Its main purpose is to trace the sources from which all the various published versions of the songs have been drawn. This has been a complex job taking many years of work. Initially only 25 numbered sets were printed although these have all been sold. Limited number available. 12 volumes, 3194 pages.
  • Australian Bawdy Ballads
     Originally published in 1973 this collection soon sold out and has since been unavailable. These ballads show the Australian male’s worst side in a humorous light. This is an important work in Australian folklore, and the material was mainly collected in north Queensland. For folklore students. 56 pages, 39 ballads each with notes.
  • Australian Folk Song Publications in Principal Australian Libraries
     Compiled by Ron Edwards with the help of the libraries, and for the Australian Folklife Centre. Australian Folklore - Occasional Paper No. 21.
  • The Bastard From The Bush
     Important collection of bawdy ballads collected by folklorist Brad Tate. 74 pages, 45 items.
  • The Big Book of Australian Folk Song
     Written and illustrated by Ron Edwards. Was originally published in 1976 and although the reviews were very good and the first edition sold out it was decided not to do a reprint because of the high cost involved. It has since become a rare and hard to get item .however after receiving numerous enquiries, a decision was made to reprint a small edition containing all the songs exactly as they had appeared in the first edition.
  • Brisbane Ladies
     A book dealing with the folksong of the same name, and based on the research of the late Bob Mitchell. Nicely illustrated with 20 sketches by Ron Edwards. 53 pages.
  • Camping Prohibited And Other Folklore
     Only a few copies of this item left. From a 1989 Earthwatch collecting trip in north Queensland. Contains bush crafts, yarns, folk medicine and ballads. 136 pages.
  • Cant Hook And Broad Axe
     Some interesting yarns and crafts from Earthwatch’s first collecting trip to north Queensland. 82 pages.
  • Collectors Of Australian Folklore
     Australian Folklore - Occasional Paper No.3. Reprint of 1973 edition. 14 pages.
  • The Convict Maid
     A very important collection of early broadsides all with an Australian connection. Ron Edwards was awarded the 1985 Australian Folk Trust Fellowship and travelled around Britain seeking out early ballads. Over 16,000 broadsides were sighted, with 160 referring to Australia. The larger of two volumes. Both contain items not previously published and also variations on some better known convict and bushranger ballads. 132 pages, many facsimiles of broadsides.
  • Donahoe and Doolan
     Two Wild Colonial Boys? A search for connections between two bushranging songs.
  • Fred's Crab And Other Bush Yarns
     Delightful collection of yarns mainly from north Queensland’s outback. They provide a remarkable insight into the lives of bushies. Includes a chapter on the circumstances leading to the creation of bushyarns. Hard cover edition of 250 pages.
  • The Lass Who Rode The Rover
     Great old bush verse from the early part of the century. 30 of the most famous recitations originally published in the Bowyang Reciters during the 1930s. 66 pages, 23 illustrations.
  • Remembered Rhymes From Childhood
     Collection of rhymes remembered from Ron Edward’s childhood in the Geelong district of Victoria around 1935-1945. Australian Folklore - Occasional Paper No. 20. 56 pages.
  • Shocking, Shocking, Shocking, Improper Play Rhymes Of Australian Children
     By noted folklorist Wendy Lowenstein, who was the main contributor to the first major study of Australian children's play rhymes Cinderella Dressed in Yella. Find out what those little angels really chant when no adults are near! 71 pages.
  • Songs Of The Bush
     Edited by Phil Butterss, this sources of a number of the songs later used by Paterson in his book Old Bush Songs. Australian Folklore - Occasional Paper No. 19. 78 pages.
  • The Transport's Lament
     Please read the notes to The Convict Maid. The second slightly smaller part of the collection, though still containing plenty of important ballads. Contains some important convict ballads. 88 pages, many facsimile broadsides.
  • Three Bawdy Songsters
     Three bawdy songsters representing different facets of society - L.I.T’s Songbook (by telephone linesmen, 1971), Songs My Mother Taught Me, (by Royal Australian Air Force members, 1951), and Queensland University Hockey Club Songbook (UQ men’s hockey team, c.1960 - with full notes and other known versions of some songs detailed at the back of the book. Australian Folklore - Occasional Paper No.24. 104 songs, 90 pages, 210x295mm.
  • Tune Titles For Australian Folksongs
     So rare we cannot even find a copy to describe it, but we think we have it in print!
  • The Wealthy Roo And Other Bush Yarns
     Contains all the yarns that originally appeared in the book Yarns and Ballads of the Australian Bush published a few years ago. Several new illustrations have been added. Ideal present for someone who enjoys bush life and a good laugh. 128 pages.