The Burdekin Stream A Ballad By Old Sadducee Sung To The Air Of “Bonny Dundee”

Before I take you to the Ballad of The Burdekin Stream, a little history will suffice. North Queensland was first settled in 1861 and the township of Bowen was formed. Settlers spread out over the country and crossing the Burdekin River was an obstacle. Settlers bought their horses, sheep and cattle with them and this caused erosion to the banks of the rivers and creeks (this erosion is mentioned in The Burdekin Stream). In early February 1864, the Burdekin River experienced a great flood and movement of people, animals and supplies would have come almost to a halt. The Township of Wickham at the mouth of the Burdekin River was virtually washed away. One man drowned, Mr. Thomas, a passenger on the schooner “Three Friends”. Mr. Cook broke his leg. The “Three Friends went aground on shore, two cable lengths from high tide water mark. Tom McEwen was master of Three Friends. These incidents are referred to in the ballad.

Frederick Thomas Rayner became the owner, editor of the Port Denison Times from March 5, 1864 until he died on June 6, 1900. The Port Denison Times was North Queensland’s first paper. This ballad was first published in Port Denison Times 7 May 1864.

Old Sadducee was probably Phillip Somer. He was from Sydney. Phillip Somer had a partner Mathew (John) Hervey and they established Dotswood Station. Hervey Range is named for Mathew Hervey. Dotswood Station is now owned by the Defence.  Somer published ballads under the name Remos (Somer spelt backwards). He had a number of ballads published in the “Queenslanders’ New Colonial Camp Fire Song Book” in November 25, 1865, one ballad being the “The Kennedy Men” sung to the same air, Bonny Dundee, as The Burdekin Stream. Someone under the nom de plume of Old Cranky did not like the ballad and he had a verse in the Port Denison Times May 14, 1864.  In PDT of August 20, 1864, Old Sadducee replied on the same day Phillip Somer placed an advertisement in the paper asking for a person to establish a Public House, Store and Blacksmith at the Upper Burdekin Crossing. Phillip Somer died June 27, 1876. Phillip was married and had three children. Some descendants of Phillip Somer still live in the Burdekin Shire today.

Some people back in 1864 were taking note of animals causing erosion to the banks of rivers and streams. Of recent times we complain about the weather bureau not giving us enough warnings of Cyclones and floods. Just imagine how the people would be frightened of the unexpected cyclones and floods with no communication as to what was happening with the weather around them.

References to this article Port Denison Times March till August 1864, “A Thousand Miles Away a History of North Queensland to 1920” by G C Bolton 1972, George Loyau, “The man who wrote bush ballads” by Hugh Anderson together with The Queenslanders New Colonial Camp Fire Song Book and The Sydney Songster Red Rooster Press 1991 Contributed by Glenis Cislowski

THE BURDEKIN STREAM In the far famed valley you’ll find out my source, By Leichhardt’s bold mountain you’ll trace down my course Till, joining my brothers, there’s water ‘twould seem To furnish forth now a magnificent stream.   Chorus

Then up to the valley, to the ocean below, I’m the father of waters as all of ye know, Though my course at the city as nothing may seem, Ye have nae seen the height of the Burdekin Stream.

Of yore noble Wickham, afflicted with thirst, Came in from the ocean, of white men the first, That found my fresh water with fishes did teem, And blest his kind stars, and this life-giving stream. Chorus

Next Leichhardt the explorer came down on my tracks, Tom Burdekin furnished his saddles and packs, For as yet none had ventured so far with a team, Discovered, and called me the Burdekin Stream.   Chorus

But in after ages the white man came forth, And built him a town on my banks to the north, And tore up my waters with paddle and steam, And called it the “Pride of the Burdekin Stream.”     Chorus

And they brought up their property all uninsured, And they took up the country that I had secured, And they tore down my banks with their bullocks and team I’ll be down on them yet, said the Burdekin Stream.   Chorus

So, I called on my brothers one night, on the Clarke, The Bowen, The Suttor, Belyando, and hark To the men’s crying wail, and the women’s loud scream As they gaze on the power of the Burdekin Stream.    Chorus

And I tore down their city, and swept o’er their tent ,And over the tops of their houses, I went. And I stranded their schooner, and laid her abeam In the midst of their “Pride of the Burdekin Stream.”      Chorus

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The mighty Burdekin River in flood. Photo supplied