[Sheet music] My Old Bushland Home In Australia

Sheet music for the song titled 'My Old Bushland Home In Australia', written, composed and performed by Corporal Neil McBeath. The song was composed in France and performed with The Cooees concert party. The song was harmonised by Sapper J McTier and Private George Pearce, who were also members of The Coo-ees. This song was first published in 1917.

The lyrics of this song depict themes of homesickness and longing for family members.

The cover is illustrated with an Australian scene; a kookaburra perches on a fence beneath a eucalyptus tree. In the background is a house with a smoking chimney. This copy is inscribed 'yours respectfully Neil McBeath. (cpl)'. It also appears to have been self-published with a note on the cover advising that applications for use of the song in theatres and music hall performances should be directed to the composer.

Neil McBeath served in France for over two years with the 3rd Australian Pioneer Battalion as a signaller. He wrote the popular song 'I'm going back again to Yarrawonga' in 1919 while still on active service overseas, before returning to Australia.

Towards the bottom of this page is a sound recording of this sheet music, or a parody, that was created as part of the Music and the First World War project. More information about this recording, including names of the performers, can be found on the catalogue record for the sound recording. A link to the catalogue record for the sound recording can be found at the bottom of this page, under the heading ‘Related objects’ where it can be identified with the prefix [sound recording].