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Barbara Weldon

from The Boundary Riders by RAchel DAwick

/

  • 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

      £1 GBP  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

lyrics

[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

credits

from The Boundary Riders, released September 19, 2014

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Rachel Dawick London, UK

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