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The Boundary Riders

by RAchel DAwick

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Released 19th September 2014 in celebration of Women's Vote Day in NZ (1893 in NZ). A four year project researching the lives of women in NZ in the 1800s and turning their stories into songs. The album of musical tracks is partnered by a book that has the show album including the musical tracks inside - includes the research behind the songs, images, lyrics of the show including the songs and tales on the road.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Boundary Riders via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £10 GBP  or more

     

1.
The Storm 04:32
THE STORM Hold on inside the storm will soon be passing through You and I for six weeks now have travelled oh so far Remember the life we lead and why we left it all behind Our future this child of ours deserves a better life Well I hope that this land of yours showers us with gold And the promises that you made so fast delivers us to home Hold on inside the storm……. Ten weeks we’ve spent at sea and all we’ve seen are sickening men This future this child of ours will never survive Friends gone and family too how are we meant to last this long Dear love tell me now when will the journey end? Well I promise that I’ll take us there to the land that will make us free. And build ourselves a life of dreams, that promise I will keep Look to the east, See how it shines Guiding our way, Green pastures will find Hold on the storm will soon be passing through…..
2.
WASHER WOMAN BLUES I’m laying out my dirty linen, bleachin’ it clean, Trying to make a living keeping house and the weens, I’ve got those Washer Woman Blues….. My old man left me here on my own With 14 kids and a great big loan I’ve got those Washer Woman Blues, those Washer Woman Blues… It’s been six months now since he left me here Not a penny sent nor clue where he went I’ve got those Washer Woman Blues… As far as I know he’s dead and gone Gotta find me another man to right his wrong ‘Cos a woman on her own bears a heavy load As she trudges on through that lonesome road She’s got those Washer Woman Blues, Those Washer Woman Blues…..
3.
BRIDGET GOODWIN (BIDDY OF THE BULLER) In the distance you’d think she was fourteen, Four foot and slight, yea a biddy of a child. But face to face the furrows and the wrinkles come clear With her iron grey hair and those washed out blue eyes Little Biddy took a puff on her pipe, Sending clouds up the chimney as she sat by the fire I hope you don’t mind me smoking miss I’ve got secrets to tell and I’m ready to confess There were three of us together – two men and myself Travelled from Australia following this trail of gold At the head of Buller River we worked like dredging machines, Scooping and cradling, panning the golden sand. Oh it was a hard, rough life for a woman Water to your hips and the days are all too long But we made enough for a livin’ Keeping tucker in our mouths whilst the rest we spent on booze. When my first man died in that hospital I cried so much at the thought of losing him Well the second, he was quite another He got sick and loafed around and I had to find gold by myself. Oh it was a hard, rough life for a woman.... Here ended her confession and I bid goodbye To that pipe and her thoughts I still see that washed out expression With those far away blue eyes still searching for gold.
4.
FAREWELL TO THE GOLD Shotover River, your gold it is waning Its weeks since the color I've seen. But it's no use just sitting and Lady Luck blaming I'll pack up and make the break clean. chorus: Farewell to the gold that never I found, Goodbye to the nuggets that somewhere abound; For it's only when dreaming that I see you gleaming Down in the dark deep underground. It's nearly two years since I left my old mother For adventure and gold by the pound. With Jimmy the prospector, he was another, For the hills of Otago was bound. Well we worked the Cardrona's dry valley all over Old Jimmy Williams and me. They were panning good dirt on the winding Shotover So we drifted down there just to see. We sluiced and we cradled for day after day Barely making enough to get by; 'Til a terrible flood swept poor Jimmy away During six stormy days in July
5.
[Jane Whiteside] I was born in Ireland, in County Down. My parents arrived on the ‘Lancashire Witch’ in 1856 and Auckland became our new home. I was just 17 when I first appeared on the stage as a gymnast and tightrope dancer and had the great fortune to travel with a troupe to Tauranga appearing under the stage name of Mademoiselle Estella. Blanche Fane “Let me present Mademoiselle Estella, tightrope walker extraordinaire……” I’m watching very carefully as I walk off this ledge, Each step reminding me how my life’s at its edge All I’ve ever wanted was to be on the stage But the swaying of this rope is unsettling at my age I don’t think I’m cut out to be a tightrope dancer No I don’t think I can stay balanced in the air All these twists and these turns are causing me concerns Well I’m convinced that my talents are suited elsewhere… I began working as a barmaid in Thames, a bustling gold mining town with over 80 hotels the most perfect place to develop my career as an entertainer. I turned my hand to magic and performed with any local or touring trope before finally settling with the Oxford Combination Troupe under the name of Blanche Fane. I dressed myself in a voluminous Japanese kimono with great hanging sleeves from which I would produce everything from a Union Jack to a flying dove. “Let me present the magnificent Blanche Fane, female magicienne a la Japanese…” Watch me very carefully as I dazzle you all With quick sleight of hand my tricks designed to enthrall All the papers speak of my skill and my charm As doves turn to air there’s no need to feel alarmed I believe I am destined to be a magicienne Yes I know that my calling breeds suspicion With all of this praise one shouldn’t be amazed At finding my career in this way. We continued our tour further south, taking a boat to Dunedin. I was now Miss Blanche Anderson, the English Magicienne and performed my new and sparkling entertainment “A Night in Wonderland”. After our final show in Oamaru on the 17th January 1875 where I had appeared as Jennie Anderson we made our way north to Waimate where our coach stopped by the Waitaki River. “Ladies and Gentlemen, with great sadness I must relate some terrible news, Jennie Anderson will not be joining us tonight, nor indeed on any other night” Listen very carefully as I unravel this tale Of the almighty Waitaki and all that befale Our own Darling Jennie, that magicienne Japanese Has been taken by the river in such a great tragedy All she ever wanted to be was a magicienne With her love of the stage she was born to succeed But with a twist of fate, her time had come to late And now we bid farewell to darling Jennie
6.
Shady Grove 02:36
7.
Old Russian Jack In the evening before the sun disappears The swagger man hits the road A human face from those hungry years Burdened by his heavy load Walking from station to station Finding what work he can He may be the curse of the nation But he’s an ordinary man Old Russian Jack wet’s through to his skin Heading south to Peter Grey With mud on his boots he takes a sip of his gin Heading down the Forgotten Highway Instrumental solo Walking from station to station Finding what work he can He may be the curse of the nation But he’s an ordinary man “Heaven help me Down this lonely track For I’m hungry and cold A sight to be behold carrying the world on my back Instrumental solo – slide, violin Walking from station to station Finding what work he can He may be the curse of the nation But he’s an ordinary man So you next time you see a swagger appear Burdened by his heavy load Just remember his face from those hungry years And help him out from the cold.
8.
LET ME SEE HEAVEN Let me see heaven just for one day Let me see heaven so I can kneel down and pray Ask the good lord up above to send me the one I love And let me see heaven just for one day Dust Brings Dust Dust brings Dust You know I’m a woman, out on her own No one beside me not even a place to call my home I tried to give love where I could but love didn’t treated me like it should So let me see heaven just for one day Just for one day lord, just for one day Won’t you lead me from this place just for one day And ask for forgiveness for letting him go God knows I loved him heart and soul
9.
ELIZABETH COLENSO I write this final letter to the man I’ve called my husband Whose actions these last ten years have caused me so much suffering But now the church has given me a way from your adultery That’ll keep my hand upon ‘the’ book, fulfilling my own destiny For we are but pilgrims on this earth We are strangers to this land We have no abiding city, outside the lord’s domain We are but workers in his name This golden ring of servitude I do now return to you As love, honour and obey all requisites of our trade Belong to a greater good where now I must devote my time Estranged from you for ever now I do make this solemn vow For we are but pilgrims on this earth We are strangers to this land We have no abiding city, outside the lord’s domain We are but workers in his name Instrumental with working into a slight move away… Maori bit here …..slight difference in tune. I promise to create a home providing for our children dear And to this add the babe you bore who from another’s breast you tore In this loving place I’ll find some happiness and peace of mind Denied me as your loyal wife that led to such woe and strife For we are but pilgrims on this earth We are strangers to this land We have no abiding city, outside the lord’s domain We are but workers in his name
10.
Amy Bock 03:50
Amy Bock The greatest play of all is about to take place The bride to be fallen for my charms not my face For here do I now stand, a woman to be married as a man how you’ve fed on my lies All those airs and graces mere pawns in my game Your foolish eyes flattered purse slips me from blame As I carefully make my next move quietly revealing my plan To now claim my prize Why try as I might I cannot find the words express my doubt Yet here do I now stand in front of you all ready to seal my fate by saying I will Who’d have thought at my time that love would come fast? This overwhelming joy I feel a spell that’s been cast For here, do I now stand, a woman to be married to this man How I feed on your charms So why try as I might I cannot find the words to express my doubts Here in front of my god at the alter I’ll wait ready to seal my fate by saying “I do”
11.
Blanche Fane “Let me present Mademoiselle Estella, tightrope walker extraordinaire……” I’m watching very carefully as I walk off this ledge, Each step reminding me how my life’s at its edge All I’ve ever wanted was to be on the stage But the swaying of this rope is unsettling at my age I don’t think I’m cut out to be a tightrope dancer No I don’t think I can stay balanced in the air All these twists and these turns are causing me concerns Well I’m convinced that my talents are suited elsewhere… I began working as a barmaid in Thames, a bustling gold mining town with over 80 hotels the most perfect place to develop my career as an entertainer. I turned my hand to magic and performed with any local or touring trope before finally settling with the Oxford Combination Troupe under the name of Blanche Fane. I dressed myself in a voluminous Japanese kimono with great hanging sleeves from which I would produce everything from a Union Jack to a flying dove. “Let me present the magnificent Blanche Fane, female magicienne a la Japanese…” Watch me very carefully as I dazzle you all With quick sleight of hand my tricks designed to enthrall All the papers speak of my skill and my charm As doves turn to air there’s no need to feel alarmed I believe I am destined to be a magicienne Yes I know that my calling breeds suspicion With all of this praise one shouldn’t be amazed At finding my career in this way. We continued our tour further south, taking a boat to Dunedin. I was now Miss Blanche Anderson, the English Magicienne and performed my new and sparkling entertainment “A Night in Wonderland”. After our final show in Oamaru on the 17th January 1875 where I had appeared as Jennie Anderson we made our way north to Waimate where our coach stopped by the Waitaki River. “Ladies and Gentlemen, with great sadness I must relate some terrible news, Jennie Anderson will not be joining us tonight, nor indeed on any other night” Listen very carefully as I unravel this tale Of the almighty Waitaki and all that befale Our own Darling Jennie, that magicienne Japanese Has been taken by the river in such a great tragedy All she ever wanted to be was a magicienne With her love of the stage she was born to succeed But with a twist of fate, her time had come to late And now we bid farewell to darling Jennie
12.
Deep Water 03:51
Deep Water The swirl is getting fast Not sure how much longer I can stop from slipping in As the red man cuts me with his eyes Have you come to take your pound of flesh, Come to see me weep? Follow my ultimate demise? Deep Water, deep water deep water ‘s dragging me down Deep water, deep water I’m in deep water now….. I’m back at the start Yet paid twelve times over And now soaked to the skin Searching for Freedom Road Saw you laughing as I made my way Up on that slippery bank Ready to push me back again Deep water, deep water … Well meet me at the start I’m soaked but twice stronger And now ready to fight As I watch your smile disappear Strike me with your hardest blow You’ll never knock me down Cos I’m on my Freedom Road Deep Water....
13.
The ‘notorious’ Barbara Weldon No doubt you’ve heard my name I’m “notorious” on the beat From those darkened alleyways I’ll emerge with a sway through the Hokitika streets You can judge me all you like For I know the system well Drunken without cause, vagrant and obscene A one-way passage through to hell Come take your fill whilst there’s still wine to sip Catch every drop before it falls A little taste of foreign shores A treasure waiting for your ship At five foot 1 I’m hardly tall But I’ve plenty flesh to hold Not as much as Porpoise Mary, And one eye’s a little bleary but I promise to be bold It’s not easy to compete With the dancers in the bars All their finery displayed As the nuggets are being laid, bearing all the hidden scars Come take your fill …….. What other choice is there for me? A soiled dove’s gotta make a livin, Whilst the women tend to frown As they walkabout town, The men are always willin Come take your fill.......

about

THe Boundary Riders is a double album released on the date of the Women's Vote in NZ in 1893. The album follows the journey of six women from the 1800s in NZ - the goldminer, the prostitute, the magician, the washer woman, the missionary, the fraudster. The book that was especially made to go with the album includes the show album - not available to purchase without the book and not here included...please go to website for ordering www.racheldawick.com

credits

released September 19, 2014

All music written by Rachel Dawick except 'Farewell to the Gold' by Paul Metsers, 'Shady Grove' Trad and 'Old Russian Jack' by RDawick and JSanders.

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Rachel Dawick London, UK

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