The Streets of Forbes is one of the best known folk songs in Australia, but it is just one of the many that reflect this area’s rich folklore and heritage.
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In 2003 local musicians and schools came together to record some of these songs and tunes and produce a compilation CD.
“The Streets of Forbes” contains the tales of shearers, bushrangers, drovers, goldminers and swaggies preserved in verse or music.
It features The Death of Ben Hall, The Diggers Song, Bald Hill and Nigh at Daisy Park as well as music by locals Paddy Godden, Harry Schaefer, Bill Cooper and Colin Charlton.
Forbes resident and keen folkie Rob Willis - who had preserved these tunes for the National Library - produced the compilation CD in conjunction with Forbes Shire Council.
The recording features such bands as Wongawilli, Growling Dogs, Collector, Us Not Them, and Harvest Moon.
A combined primary schools choir sang “The Streets of Forbes”, the Red Bend Catholic College Band and the Forbes High School Music Group also contributed a couple of tunes.
Copies of the CD are available for sale at the Forbes Historical Society Museum in Cross Street.
