I'm an Australian – 20 Years Old

Annotation

Don Henderson, a highly-regarded contemporary folk singer, born on 17 January 1937 in Melbourne, Australia. He died in Brisbane, Australia, on 20 August 1991. (1) He was particularly known for his political and social songs, with a focus on workers rights. He also composed several Vietnam War titles, although not all were recorded or released on record. The songs are: "Boonaroo", "The Won’t-Leave-This-Lander", "Bill White", "Draft Card Burner’s Song", "I'm an Australian – 20 Years Old", "Peace is Union Business", "Ting-A-Ling", "Somone Up There", and "Was War For Those Who Want It". (2) Thanks to Warren Fahey, Mark Gregory, and Raymond Crooke for identifying titles and providing lyrics.. This 1968 album featured the song "Boonaroo", the title of which was a reference to the HMAS Boonaroo, an Australian National Line cargo vessel used to support Australian forces in Vietnam. In 1966, members of the Seamen's Union of Australia refused to sail the vessel in protest against the Vietnam War. (3) In the lyrics, the narrator wondered "who will man the Boonaroo", and then questioned the purpose of the ship, was there "medicine to heal...material to build", or was there "grief and death…

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Australian & New Zealand Songs

Don Henderson, a highly-regarded contemporary folk singer, born on 17 January 1937 in Melbourne, Australia. He died in Brisbane, Australia, on 20 August 1991. (1) He was particularly known for his political and social songs, with a focus on workers rights. He also composed several Vietnam War titles, although not all were recorded or released on record. The songs are: "Boonaroo", "The Won’t-Leave-This-Lander", "Bill White", "Draft Card Burner’s Song", "I'm an Australian – 20 Years Old", "Peace is Union Business", "Ting-A-Ling", "Somone Up There", "Was War For Those Who Want It", and "It's On". (2) Thanks to Warren Fahey, Mark Gregory, and Raymond Crooke for identifying titles and providing lyrics. This 1968 album featured the song "Boonaroo", the title of which was a reference to the HMAS Boonaroo, an Australian National Line cargo vessel used to support Australian forces in Vietnam. In 1966, members of the Seamen's Union of Australia refused to sail the vessel in protest against the Vietnam War. (3) In the lyrics, the narrator wondered "who will man the Boonaroo", and then questioned the purpose of the ship, was there "medicine to heal...material to build", or was there "grief…

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

About the artist

born on 17 January 1937 in Melbourne, Australia. He died in Brisbane, Australia, on 20 August 1991.

Themes

Anti-War · ANZUS · Draft · VC · Draft Card Burning · First Indo-China War

In collections

Draft Songs · Australian & New Zealand Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs