Wednesday 8 November 2017

"The Legend of Fisher's Ghost" - musically speaking.

The legend of Fisher's Ghost has been celebrated in popular culture in many ways over the years. Related in countless newspaper articles, as well as poems, songs, books, plays, an opera, and film, it once attracted the attention of notables such as Charles Dickens, who published a version of the story in his magazine "Household Words", and entertainer John Pepper, who used it as the subject of one of his stage illusions in Sydney in 1879.
Campbelltown City Library is fortunate to hold a copy of one of these tributes - "The Legend of Fisher's Ghost", written by Catherine Fields musician Jimmie McFarlane, and produced by Don Watt at Earth Media Studios, Milsons Point. With Jimmie's band "Country Road" playing the backing, the single was released with another of Jimmie's compositions on the flip side - "The Camden Train".


The cover of "The Legend of Fisher's Ghost" 

The record was completely financed by the licensees of The Good Intent, Jim and Evonne Rook. On Thursday March 19th, 1981, they launched the record at a special event at the hotel.

Jimmie McFarlane sitting on Fisher's Ghost Bridge

Jimmie was born in Bulli, and spent some years of his life at Glenmore House, in the foothills of the Razorback near Camden. Writing "The Legend of Fisher's Ghost" was prompted by a strong interest in the local area and it's history. Sadly Jimmie died at the age of 46, but we are able to remember him though his work. We have very kindly been given permission to upload "The Legend of Fisher's Ghost" via the following link.



Written by Claire Lynch
Sources
Campbelltown Ingleburn News 1981
Macarthur Advertiser 1981
Special thanks to the McFarlane Family (Casey McFarlane, Glenda Wenban, Sandie McFarlane)

1 comment:

  1. This was my dad's best mate. Jimmie was often in our home. I remember his green rambled car. He was a local legend.

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