Peter Titchener's one-time band Colcannon performed a master version of this song with Kat Kraus (John Munro's daughter) on vocals and John on lead guitar. I saw them at Port Fairy folk festival when you could have heard a pin drop in a large marquee. Or a tear. There were a few hundred moist eyes. Later I was lucky enough to have a chat with Eric Bogle backstage and found him to be a quiet, humble man of immense presence. RIP John Munro. In the Dreamtime Place.
For all that I actually love the Australian Anthem, I'll grant that this is a much more beautiful song yet. Having once heard it, it keeps springing to mind when I'm out hiking in the bush. Even in this twilight era of our beautiful country, this song speaks to the character of our country more than any other.
I love this great song presented with such feeling. Saw Eric Bogle sing this with John Munro at the Illawarra Folk Festival in Bulli NSW many years ago. Eric's intro story was even more colourful at that time! Unforgettable! R.I.P. John munro.
I only wish he'd sung the second verse and then the first verse in coda like the album version. My mum is a scots/pommy and this somg always made us cry. I just feel so sad because our recent governments have been soooo shit. We aren't a shelter anymore. Not to those at home.or from abroad. It breaks my heart I'm so many painful ways. This.is not us. I'm ashamed.
Had the pleasure of singing Shelter with my choir the Maroondah Singers. A lovely piece of music summing up the feelings of an immigrant turned citizen in Eric Bogle. He and his song are now in relative obscurity but I hope they are not forgotten. At least I got to hear it again at a concert by the Melbourne Male Welsh Choir last weekend.
Eric was the feature guest at the Wellington NZ folk festival eons ago and he had the Opera House audience eating out of his hand - moving us from laughter to sadness - one of the best shows I've ever been to and still memorable. L
Fabulous. I don't share Eric's politics but I respect his consistency, his ability to articulate what he believes. His songs are peerless and with Emma, John (RIP) and now Peter, he presents them in a warm and genuine way - emphasised by excellent arrangements. Thank you always Eric. With deep respect.
Lovely song. But he sang the third verse twice. So sorry to just hear tonight that John Munro has passed. What a wonderful man, guitar singer and first class foil for Eric. Very sad
