I'm Going Back To Yarrawonga
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I'm going back to Yarrawonga originally titled Yarrawonga is a jaunty topical song that describes an Australians elation at returning home, written by Corporal Neil MacBeath AIF during a tour of France in World War One. The song was recorded by several artists including Leonard Hubbard, George Trevare Dance Orchestra and Slim Dusty in 2006.
Origin
Neil McBeath (1893-1980) was Born in Campbell's Creek, Victoria [1] to mother Jane (née McInnis/McInnes born abt 1852, died 9 May 1938, married 1873 registration number 4420), and father Robert McBeath.[2] Neil started by performing the songs of Scottish comedian Harry Lauder [3] He was known as the Harry Lauder of Castlemaine [4] [5] [6] Neil McBeath received pronounced encores for comical songs in Mount Alexander, Victoria [7] and bought down the house [8] [9] In 1914 McBeath was fined for a cycling traffic conviction.[10]
Neil McBeath enlisted (Service number 74 with 7th Australian Field Artillery Brigade February 1916 [11] or possibly a private with the 3rd Pioneer Battalion listed as Presbyterian Draughtsman [12]). He wrote 'Yarrawonga' while serving in France [13] First publication estimated circa 1919 following demobilization. By 1922 the song had big sales [14] Indeed, 'Yarrawonga' bought him instant fame in his homeland [15] [16] and this notoriety remained until the forties.
He resisted selling the copyright [17] to the song that launched his career. McBeath continued performing comic songs between the wars.[18] [19][20] He appeared as the comic entertainer the 'Digger Scot' at the London Oswald Theatre.[21] and at a theatre in Footscray,[22] and he managed a show at Sydney Majestic Theatre.[23]
In 1941 McBeath wrote recruiting song "One for all, All for one".[24] By 1942 the earlier song 'Yarrawonga' was universally known [25][26] The song became regarded by Australians as a matter of civic pride.[27]
In 1930 McBeath had a daughter with Singer Emmeline Mitchell also named Emmeline McBeath, a psychology student, she was also musically inclined.[28] Emmeline Junior had no known children and there were still no claimants to the copyright in 2001 [29] and 2003 [30] In 2021 The only acknowledgement by the Australian War Memorial is a copy of another of other sheet music, without acknowledging the honorific 'private' or 'coroporal'.[31] not referenced to his identity. The Returned Services League have forgotten his accomplishments altogether.
Other works
- 1917 'My Bushland home in Australia'. Based on a traditional Scottish tune [32]
- 1920'Jean from Coterstein'
- 1920 'When You're back in your Civvies again'
- 1921 'When you're back in your home once more' [33]
- 1922 Bella Vista [34]
- 1924 'Waratah' orchestarted for bands at the British Empire Exhibition[35]
Performances
- 1922 Adelaide, South Australia [36]
- 1923 Dungog, NSW [37]
- 1923 Esperance Western Australia [38]
- 1925 Newcastle Brass Band [39][40]
- 1925 Mount Magnet, Western Australia [41]
- 1925 Geelong Jazz style [42]
- 1922 Hurstbridge Victoria [43]
- 1929 Albany Western Australia [44]
- 1942 radio 2db [45]
- 1954 radio 3XY Melbourne [46]