Pennyweight Hill..a verse.

[reefer]

The Children on Pennyweight Hill.

I once went a driving down Castlemaine way
And found me a dirt road one bright winter's day
It seemed like a nice drive and I remember it still
An old faded street sign, said.
Pennyweight Hill.

So I stop by the wayside and looked all around
And saw through a gateway a burial ground
A sign told of the Gold Rush and these children, mere babes
Who were lost due to illness and disease of those days.

I thought of the parents their anguish and grief
From their pain and their sorrow, there was no release
Just a saddened old Padre reading a holy verse
And a Black festooned horse and dray, for a funeral hearse.

So I sat amongst them and noticed a chill
And I shrugged my shoulders, called myself a dill
That's when I heard it, a sweet melody.
And the feeling that someone was looking at me.

I swear I could see them, they were all gathered round
They sang and they laughed, t'was a glorious sound.
They thanked me for coming to see them that hour
And all I could give them was a small flannel flower

So if you are searching for gold one fine day
And you happen to be down old Castlemaine way
Please take them some flowers for me if you will
Give them to the Children on Pennyweight Hill.

And Castlemaine people don't leave me forlorn
These are the children of pioneers born
They once were your children yet they are yours still
Take care of the Children on Pennyweight Hill.

COPYRIGHT:R.LANGLANDS. 2017.

And the Web Site,
http://www.whattimeforgot.com/pennyweight-flat-childrens-cemetery.html

 

[user 7268]

I can see reefer this place has had a big impact upon you ? It has in fact brought back many memories of my own in those childhood years.
I found a pic that was as close to as I could find of the cemetery when I was a child. The sheds in the background were Nobbies hay and machinery sheds.
His farm house was down in the gully behind the shed in centre background. We used to go down there and sell rabbits for three and six a pair.

 

[Mackka]

Reefer, my heart is with you mate.
I remember coming across a sole grave in the middle of no where and trying to think, what the hell are you doing here.
As I am on the road most days as part of my work, I often see crosses, flowers and signs designated to those that have died at those spots and I still ask myself the same question, what the hell are you doing here. Sadly I never been given the answer.
Three and six a pair, living the dream mate. I used to get 2 bob a pair and sell the dried skin for sixpence.
Love to all
Mackka

 

[RM Outback]

If I get over that way reefer I'll drop some flowers off and let them know reefer says G'day :Y:.

 

[Ramjet]

A lovely verse reefer.

 

[reefer]

Bogger, your right it affected me greatly...for I know the anguish of losing a child. your photo was great . It took me back to the day I was there or very close to it.Castlemaine is a pretty little place and the people were lovely.
The visit I made to the 'Burial Gound'...(you could hardly call it a Cemetry..in view of the fact that it was so neglected), It Was a sad but eerie experience for me.RM Outback. If you could do that I would be very honoured and I thank you ..in advance. To you, Bogger,Mackka and Ramjet...thank you for taking the time to read my humble Verse..and do me the honour of your thoughts on it... Sometimes when I'm out bush and I have my Mandolin handy and I'm feeling sufficiently sombre ] I play this song..the melody for which was given to me ...by those children.It is a sweet lilting melody,remeniscent of an "Irish Ballad".I hope that one day I will have the honour to do it full justice and sing it for you. there are a couple of extra Stanzas when sung.Cheers ter yers and I'll see yers 'At the Diggins'.

 

[Mackka]

Reefer, one day,if am to be so lucky, I will take your hand and shake it with pride.
Whenever I went to a new fossicking area,town, I would always go to the local cemetery first. Two reasons, to pay my respects to the residents and secondly to se if there was any reference to mining.
I also have a love for the Mandolin, a small beautiful instrument.
I pass a major cemetery in Brissie almost every day and on occasion I see a young bloke and he plays his banjo next to a grave.
Very touching and beautiful at the same time.
All the best mate and thanks for sharing.
Mackka

 

[reefer]

Thank you John, I would be equally honoured to meet you. Yes the Mando is sweet little thing..I've been lately experimenting with ADADc.tuning..awesome subtones created with the bottom string tuned to 'C'..brings up the hairs on the back of my neck!..hehe..your story of the young bloke playing his Banjo by a graveside..Oh..what a story there is to be told there...very touching..Cheers Rossco.

 

[Mackka]

Hey Rossco, mate one day it will happen, I know your suburb very well. As a young bloke I use to surf at The Farm and put my 20cents in the box at the gate, and I also worked on the golf course before it opened.
Talk soon.
Mackka

 

[RM Outback]

I'll make it happen reefer you can count on that. This verse has touched me that's for sure, you have a talent and conveyed it well :Y:. I'd love to hear your melody I'm sure your words in song will be as captive as those in print. Thanks for sharing :Y:.

 

[reefer]

8.( HeHe..Oh you guys!Thanks so much!..Mackka. . are you kidding me!..hhehe..we probably met each other out in the surf!.and did'nt know it. I courted my wife on that magnificent place!. Every weekend for 3 years we were there...Later I was employed with shellharbout Council Regenerating Bass Point and got to know the old Ranger and his wife (who usually collected out 2bobs! HE was my supervisor!..later..my youngest son Shaun painted his lounge room wall in a surf scene of the Farm!... If you guys ever come down here let me know ..You are most welcome.iT WOULD BE MY ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO WELCOME YOU HERE.!!! Otherwise,I'll see yers at the Diggin's.. Rossco.

 

[reefer]

To all who were so kind in their replies, And reactions to my post on 'The Children of Pennyweight Hill'. The full version as used when sung is now in the first post.

Mod Edit (Tathradj)
That is a credit to you Rossco.
All fixed up.

 

[BigWave]

Lovely verse mate. I would love to hear it sung. I have visited the children's cemetery there, and was stirred by the angst that each death must have caused those hardy souls. So young - I believe the average age was just 4?

 

[RM Outback]

It hasn't come through as a link reefer, I'm referring to LANGLANDS 2017. When it's up I'll sit back and have a listen :Y:

 

[Mackka]

Hey Reefer, what tune does it go to? I tried Wild Colonial Boy and its not bad.
Mackka

 

[reefer]

Mackka I suppose it would be possible to fit it with several melodies like 'the wild colonial boy' but it doesn't quite cut it. I hope that I can claim the melody as my own..but I don't discount the possibility of a subconscious influence.The best thing I could do..would be to record it and post it here..but I'm a bit of technical dodo and I can't play guitar and the mandolin at the same time I would need a little time to enable me to present a credible performance..I've never recorded in video format.. and I would want to protect my Copyrights..but I'll see what can be done. cheers and thank you all for your interest thus far.As the Film producer said to the Actress on the couch.."I'll get back to you".

 

[Mackka]

Thanks Reefer I can't wait to get my copy on itoons
Mackka

 

[Tathradj]

when you do film it, Add your names as a copyright.