Right from the early days of European settlement of the Australian continent there evolved a tradition of folk ballads which reflected the life of the pioneers. Brave, funny, cheeky and irreverent, these songs displayed a spirit of plucky independence and scant respect for authority. They told of hope and love, of hard work and gritty determination. The tunes were versatile and the words could be amended to suit particular circumstances, so they can be sung by and about sailors, settlers, shearers, squatters, swagmen and even bushrangers.

The Adelaide Male Voice Choir presents a lively selection of the rollicking songs which reflect the spirit of the sailors and settlers of early Australia.