I'm Going Back To Yarrawonga Explained

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 more recently 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]

Notes and References

1. News: cAMPBELL GREEK RETURNED SOLDIERS . . 18,231 . Victoria, Australia . 28 January 1918 . 21 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
2. Victoria Birth Certificate 2247
3. News: HOSPITAL GALA . . 16,929 . Victoria, Australia . 29 October 1913 . 21 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: MOSTLY ABOUT PEOPLE. . . 7,731 . Victoria, Australia . 8 February 1916 . 21 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
5. News: 29 January 1916. Advertising. 2. Daylesford Advocate, Yandoit, Glenlyon and Eganstown Chronicle. 4837. Victoria, Australia. National Library of Australia. 22 November 2021.
6. News: ENTERTAINMENTS. . . 16801 . Victoria, Australia . 2 June 1913 . 21 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
7. News: SOCIAL AND PRESENTATION . . 17,108 . Victoria, Australia . 2 June 1914 . 21 November 2021 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
8. News: CONCERT IN AID OF MRS DEEGAN . . 17,093 . Victoria, Australia . 15 May 1914 . 21 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
9. News: FRUITGROWERS' CONFERENCE . . 17,202 . Victoria, Australia . 19 September 1914 . 21 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
10. News: THE Mount Alexander Mail . . 17,076 . Victoria, Australia . 25 April 1914 . 21 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
11. Web site: Neil Mcbeath .
12. Web site: Neil McBeath .
13. News: "I'M GOING BACK TO YARRAWONGA" . . XLVI . 13768 . New South Wales, Australia . 6 October 1949 . 22 November 2021 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
14. News: "SONGSMITHS" . . 1028 . New South Wales, Australia . 10 December 1922 . 22 November 2021 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
15. News: What of Australian Composers? . . 31,718 . New South Wales, Australia . 28 August 1939 . 21 November 2021 . 7 (Women's Supplement) . National Library of Australia.
16. News: THE RADIO PAVILION. . . 11,063 . Queensland, Australia . 28 July 1937 . 21 November 2021 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
17. News: Lennonville. . . 30 . 28 . Western Australia . 14 February 1925 . 22 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
18. News: A Musical Treat . . 1800 . Victoria, Australia . 5 November 1921 . 21 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
19. News: The Independent . . 1799 . Victoria, Australia . 29 October 1921 . 21 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
20. News: "SUNSHINE REVUE." . . 25,697 . New South Wales, Australia . 15 May 1920 . 21 November 2021 . 14 . National Library of Australia.
21. News: Advertising . . XVI . 4974 . New South Wales, Australia . 21 June 1920 . 22 November 2021 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
22. News: Advertising . . 1798 . Victoria, Australia . 22 October 1921 . 22 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
23. News: Advertising . . New South Wales, Australia . 17 June 1920 . 22 November 2021 . 1 (EVENING) . National Library of Australia.
24. News: GIVING A NEW SONG SOME OF THE OLD VIGOUR . . C . 101 . Tasmania, Australia . 8 July 1941 . 21 November 2021 . 5 (LATE NEWS EDITION) . National Library of Australia.
25. News: Song Writer And Airman . . XXXVIII . 11418 . New South Wales, Australia . 30 January 1942 . 22 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
26. News: FIVE STARS CLUB . . LIX . 2950 . South Australia . 21 February 1947 . 22 November 2021 . 13 . National Library of Australia.
27. News: YARRAWONGA COMES BACK AGAIN-- BIG! . . 1979 . New South Wales, Australia . 2 March 1941 . 22 November 2021 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
28. News: POP SONG JUST CAME TO GIRL . . 23,076 . Victoria, Australia . 10 May 1951 . 21 November 2021 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
29. News: Seeking Copyright Holders . Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. Government Notices . GN31 . 8 August 2001 . 21 November 2021 . 2265 . National Library of Australia.
30. News: Communications, Information Technology and The Arts Seeking Copyright Holders . Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. Government Notices . GN22 . 4 June 2003 . 21 November 2021 . 1649 . National Library of Australia.
31. Web site: [Sheet music] My Old Bushland Home in Australia .
32. Web site: [Sheet music] My Old Bushland Home in Australia .
33. News: PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE COPYRIGHT ACT 1912. . . 36 . 22 April 1920 . 22 November 2021 . 605 . National Library of Australia.
34. News: PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE COPYRIGHT ACT 1912 . . 97 . 9 November 1922 . 22 November 2021 . 1955 . National Library of Australia.
35. News: Australian Song. . . XV . 4559 . South Australia . 8 March 1924 . 22 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
36. News: NILE STREET SEAMEN'S MISSION CONCERT. . . IX . 31 . South Australia . 24 March 1922 . 22 November 2021 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
37. News: Wilson Benefit Fund . . New South Wales, Australia . 2 March 1923 . 22 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
38. News: ESPERANCE . . 29 . 7362 . Western Australia . 15 January 1923 . 22 November 2021 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
39. News: NEWCASTLE BAND. . . XLIV . 15,509 . Western Australia . 6 January 1925 . 21 November 2021 . 5 (THIRD EDITION) . National Library of Australia.
40. News: STEELWORKS BAND. . . 27,237 . New South Wales, Australia . 22 April 1925 . 22 November 2021 . 16 . National Library of Australia.
41. News: Lennonville. . . 30 . 28 . Western Australia . 14 February 1925 . 22 November 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
42. News: CHAMPION BAND . . 24,239 . Victoria, Australia . 13 February 1925 . 22 November 2021 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
43. News: Wallan East. . . 59 . 2,569 . Victoria, Australia . 24 November 1922 . 22 November 2021 . 4 (AFTERNOON) . National Library of Australia.
44. News: BAND NOTES . . 2 . 255 . Western Australia . 29 August 1929 . 22 November 2021 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
45. News: DOWN ON THE FARM . . 4600 . New South Wales, Australia . 5 November 1941 . 22 November 2021 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
46. News: Worth hearing . . 23,994 . Victoria, Australia . 22 April 1954 . 22 November 2021 . 8 . National Library of Australia.