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If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)
Artist: Jimmy McBeath
Author: traditional
Label: Caedmon
Year: 1951
Roud #519. BBC recording on anthology Fair Game And Foul - The Folk Songs Of Britain Vol 7 ('61). Transportation ballad. Van Diemen's Land was the old name for Tasmania, where convicted British and Irish prisoners were deported to just to get rid of them. Named after Anthoonij van Diemen, governor-general of the Dutch East India Company who send out Abel Tasman on a mission resulting in the discovery of the island in 1642. In 1856 it was renamed after him, also to wipe out the negative connotation around Van Diemen's Land.
Covers:
Ewan MacColl [on The Singing Sailor]
Shirley Collins & The Albion Country Band [on No Roses]
U2's Van Diemen's Land on Rattle And Hum ('88) is their own song.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)