Summary

Alternative Name(s): Music Folio, Booklet, Musical Score

Sheet music for the patriotic tune 'The Five Starred Flag', with lyrics by 'Dry Blower' (aka Dryblower - Edwin Greenslade Murphy) and music by Flora Murchison, published in 1909. Murphy walked 350 miles from Perth to Coolgardie, arriving in 1894, to join the WA gold rush. He undertook some dryblowing at Fly Flat, and later developed his talents as a journalist, tenor and composer. He was attracted by the patriotic fervour of the Boer War, and also wrote 'Hands Across the Sea'. His son Harry later enlisted to serve in World War I, inspiring Murphy to pen his admired poem 'My Son'.

'The Five Starred Flag' was performed in a pantomime called 'Babes in the Wood' by William Anderson. In February 1910 the Advertiser in Adelaide noted that '"Babes in the Wood" has had a phenomenal run in Melbourne at the King's Theatre, and the production is being shifted bodily to Adelaide, hardly a screw or a bolt or a nut being left behind. Mr. Anderson's success with "Sinbad the Sailor"! in Adelaide will be well remembered, but he has eclipsed that pantomime in every way with "Babes in the Wood." He has been successful in getting together perhaps the finest pantomimic organisation seen in Australia for years.' (9 February 1910)

The sheet music for 'The Five Starred Flag' was part of a large collection of music owned by Mr Harry Albert Turner and his wife Winifred Beatrice Maud (Winnie, nee Hill).

Physical Description

Bound sheet music printed on off-white stock, with red, blue and white cover with printed image of Australian flag, outline of Australia and graphic logos for Albert's Music Stores and Albert & Son. Six pages including cover, of which three are printed music. Pale red background with black border and off-white edge. Inscriptions printed in a range of fonts. Name of user hand-written at top right. Binding has been secured with black tape at a later date. Edges very ragged and torn.

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