I'm Going Back To Yarrawonga

I'm going back to Yarrawonga originally titled Yarrawonga is a jaunty topical song that describes an Australians elation at returning home, written by Corporal Neil MacBeath AIF during a tour of France in World War One. The song was recorded by several artists including Leonard Hubbard, George Trevare Dance Orchestra and Slim Dusty in 2006.

Origin

Neil McBeath (1893-1980) was Born in Campbell's Creek, Victoria ^[1] to mother Jane (née McInnis/McInnes born abt 1852, died 9 May 1938, married 1873 registration number 4420), and father Robert McBeath.^[2] Neil started by performing the songs of Scottish comedian Harry Lauder ^[3] He was known as the Harry Lauder of Castlemaine ^{[4] [5] [6]} Neil McBeath received pronounced encores for comical songs in Mount Alexander, Victoria ^[7] and bought down the house ^{[8] [9]} In 1914 McBeath was fined for a cycling traffic conviction.^[10]

Neil McBeath enlisted (Service number 74 with 7th Australian Field Artillery Brigade February 1916 ^[11] or possibly a private with the 3rd Pioneer Battalion listed as Presbyterian Draughtsman ^[12]). He wrote 'Yarrawonga' while serving in France ^[13] First publication estimated circa 1919 following demobilization. By 1922 the song had big sales ^[14] Indeed, 'Yarrawonga' bought him instant fame in his homeland ^{[15] [16]} and this notoriety remained until the forties.

He resisted selling the copyright ^[17] to the song that launched his career. McBeath continued performing comic songs between the wars.^{[18] [19][20]} He appeared as the comic entertainer the 'Digger Scot' at the London Oswald Theatre.^[21] and at a theatre in Footscray,^[22] and he managed a show at Sydney Majestic Theatre.^[23]

In 1941 McBeath wrote recruiting song "One for all, All for one".^[24] By 1942 the earlier song 'Yarrawonga' was universally known ^[25][26] The song became regarded by Australians as a matter of civic pride.^[27]

In 1930 McBeath had a daughter with Singer Emmeline Mitchell also named Emmeline McBeath, a psychology student, she was also musically inclined.^[28] Emmeline Junior had no known children and there were still no claimants to the copyright in 2001 ^[29] and 2003 ^[30] In 2021 The only acknowledgement by the Australian War Memorial is a copy of another of other sheet music, without acknowledging the honorific 'private' or 'coroporal'.^[31] not referenced to his identity. The Returned Services League have forgotten his accomplishments altogether.

Other works

• 1917 'My Bushland home in Australia'. Based on a traditional Scottish tune ^[32]
• 1920'Jean from Coterstein'
• 1920 'When You're back in your Civvies again'
• 1921 'When you're back in your home once more' ^[33]
• 1922 Bella Vista ^[34]
• 1924 'Waratah' orchestarted for bands at the British Empire Exhibition^[35]

Performances

• 1922 Adelaide, South Australia ^[36]
• 1923 Dungog, NSW ^[37]
• 1923 Esperance Western Australia ^[38]
• 1925 Newcastle Brass Band ^[39][40]
• 1925 Mount Magnet, Western Australia ^[41]
• 1925 Geelong Jazz style ^[42]
• 1922 Hurstbridge Victoria ^[43]
• 1929 Albany Western Australia ^[44]
• 1942 radio 2db ^[45]
• 1954 radio 3XY Melbourne ^[46]