Clyde Collins Papers

The Sunshine State (song), 1950s - 1990s

The Alexandra Waltz  (song), ca.1959 

Warm Christmas Song 1970s

We Love the Gold Coast (song) and Song of the Gold Coast (song), 1970s

The song of the Lions (song) 1991

The Marching girls on parade (song) 1959

The Marching band on parade (song) 1989-1902

HMAS T-shirt song (song) 1988. Original manuscript of a musical with an Australian character. These songs are adapted and arranged by Clyde Collins from Gilbert and Sullivan's HMAS Pinafore. Original lyrics also by Clyde Collins

Includes: original manuscript and lyrics; working manuscript in a different key; computerised score; audio cassette containing vocal rendition of 'Celebration of a Nation' and 'Stand up for Australia' ; and correspondence re suggestions for presenting song. 'Stand Up for Australia' was written for the 1988 bi-centenary.
 

Original manuscript for 'Dogs!!! A Musical Entertainment' by Clyde Collins. Includes: arrangements of well-known songs with original lyrics by Clyde Collins; outline of suggested production of the work; correspondence; audio cassette demo of original songs.

 

Original manuscripts of miscellaneous songs composed by Clyde Collins, including: "Sing a Happy Song" (winner of the 1976 Warrana Festival), "The Saga of Sammy the Sparrow" (with press clippings), three songs for the television religious programme "Hour of Power", "Mr Ragtime", French's Forest School Song, TV Week 2/5/64 with article by Clyde Collins, Willy the Frilly-Necked Lizard (written for Brisbane's 1988 Expo), Australian Sport Songs, and miscellaneous other songs. All songs have original music and lyrics. Relevant correspondence and press clippings are also included.

Two songs submitted by Clyde Collins to the Carlton United Breweries song competition. Have a Beer won first prize, The Bloke Who Invented Beer won second prize. Includes: two 45 rpm recordings of both songs, sung by Rolf Harris; original vocal score; band sets; published sheet music and correspondence

Includes: original manuscript for vocal and piano, four voices and piano, organ, and various keys.

Original score, published sheet music, correspondence and newspaper clippings relating to the Clyde Collins song Robbery Under Arms.

Original scores, programs, correspondence and recordings of songs from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Includes: programs from 1971 re-write for Rudas production; program from Dance Encore's 2001 production; original manuscripts of all songs composed by Clyde Collins for 2001 production; demo audio cassette of three songs for 2001 show; orchestral demo CD of new songs for 2001 show; Video produced in 1995 by ABC 'On the Road with the Seven Dwarfs'.

Original sheet music; published sheet music from 1956 film 'Smiley Gets a Gun'; correspondence, programs and script for 1992 production of Smiley the musical at Redcliffe Entertainment Centre; correspondence and paperwork relating to development of children's game based on Smiley.

A collection of songs relating to towns on the Lower Clarence River, Northern NSW, commonly known as the Big River Country. Includes: original manuscripts of songs; correspondence; demo tapes and CDs of songs

A collection of songs inspired by the tales of Matthew Flinders' cat, Trim. Includes: original manuscripts of songs; correspondence; proposed cover art for CD and CD recording of songs.

A collection of Australian Christmas songs, including Christmas Time, Santa's Here, Our Christmas Tree, Christmas Day, and Warm Christmas. Also included are two cassette recordings of the songs, and some correspondence. Vocals on recordings by Johnny O'Connor and local children

Four songs written and composed by Clyde Collins: The Flame; Sing a Song of Australia; The Games; Celebration of a Nation. The first three were written for the Sydney Olympic games (2 composed on the computer), and the fourth composed on the computer for Centenary of Federation. Some correspondence also included.

Collection of songs written and composed by Clyde Collins for the Classics Go Country CD. Original cover art by June Alexander. Master audio cassettes, the CD, and some correspondence included.

Original manuscripts, audio cassette recordings and correspondence relating the Clyde Collins songs: Piano Panorama; Harbour City; and Let's Put Christ Back Into Christmas.

Original manuscripts, audio cassette recordings and correspondence relating the Clyde Collins songs: The Boot-in' Scoot-in' Waltz; Who Was Elise?; Aunt Fanny's Freaky Farm; The Games; and Queen of Broken Hearts, Princess Diana.

Original manuscript, demo cassette recording and correspondence relating the Clyde Collins song, Moonlight, based on Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

Original manuscript and lyrics for the Clyde Collins song, Moondreams, based on Debussy's Clair de Lune. Correspondence with singer Yvonne Kenny also included.

Arrangements of two songs from West Side Story. The love songs were arranged for the wedding of Clyde Collins' friends.

Original manuscripts (correspondence) and lyrics of the songs "Forever", that was based on Edward McDowell's "To a Wild Rose"; "Live for Love", that was based on Beethoven's "Pathetique Sonata"; and "Life is a Song", that was based on Schubert's "Serenade". Also miscellaneous relevant correspondence.

Original manuscript and lyrics of the songs"Win", as well as correspondence to Darren Beadman (jockey) and others, such as Judith Durham and Crystal Cathedral, California, U.S.A.

Manuscripts with lyrics of the songs "Helicopter Jelly", "Oz-E-Mite", and "Wer'e fighting Back", that were submitted by Clyde Collin's to Dick Smith for the 'Buy Australian Campaign'. Also includes 2 audio demonstration cassette tapes of the 3 songs.

Original manuscripts that were composed on computer including: "We Met on the Net", "Born to Perform", and "ABC Song Book" approach (see page 2 of letter regarding "Sing a Song of Australia". Also included are 2 audio cassettes of ""We Met on the Net" and "Born to Perform".

A CD of Clyde playing a selection of the Most Requested Items that he was asked to play at the Canton Restaurant, Yamba, where he entertained diners for almost twenty years. Clyde Collins recorded this CD as part of his solo work as a piano player, and it was only available for purchase at the restaurant, which is now closed.

A 142 page autobiography titled "Notes from an Ivory Tucker" with Appendum . In his autobiography, Clyde Collins recounts his life, including his earliest memories, marriage and personal life, and the growth of his musical career. Includes a 10-page addendum on Clyde Collins' life after 1992 that he wrote in 2002. It in he traces both personal and professional events in his life.

A 63 page original screenplay titled "Showground" written by Ian Austin and Clyde Collins. Also relevant correspondence.

An adaptation of some of Shakespeare's plays written in Australian vernacular. Also includes relevant correspondence.

The Limerick Down Under" is a collection of original limericks with an Australian theme that were written by Clyde Collins. They include manuscript of "The Aussie Limerick Song"; the introduction and three separate sections of limericks; correspondence; and rough, handwritten notes.

An original television comedy sketch called "Bumbunga".

Skywatch" is an outline of a musical or play based on Hoagy Carmichael's life that was written by John Barratt and Clyde Collins. Included are original manuscripts for the songs: "Intro to Skywatch", "Skywatch", "All the World Loves to Laugh", "Walkin' Small, Lovin' Tall, "Astrology", Song medley opener, and "Share". "Skywatch" was an attempt by John Barratt and Clyde Collins to write a musical based on the life of Hoagy Carmichael. The work was abandoned when permission was refused by Executors of Hoagy Carmicheal's estate.

"Bullets and Ballads was a fictional outline for a film script based on Clyde Collin's wartime experiences while touring with the U.S.O. in the Pacific War Zone as an accompanist for two years, entertaining the allied troops. Also included is relevant correspondence with David Elphick, producer of Palm Beach Pictures.

"Bleep" was an outline of a plot for a suggested musical. contained is a first draft for a musical/stage treatment. Also included are handwritten notes on Sydney Harbour disasters, typed notes on the Harbour Bridge, handwritten notes additional to play, and newspaper cuttings on the Sydney Harbour ferries, Sydney Airport, and book reviews.

A 357 page typescript of "C'mon The Coots" was written by Clyde Collins about an Australian Rugby League team called "The Bandicoots". Included is a 127 page extended outline/treatment of the novel with typed manuscript of the theme song with lyrics.

1 Album of photographs and newspaper clippings primarily of Clyde Collins' appearances during his career. Also photographs of friends and family. Clyde Collins is shown entertaining at "Romano's", with the band Ben de Loche, at the Theatre Royal, and at BTQ Channel 7 Brisbane, for example.

1 Album of newspaper clippings tracing the musical career of Clyde Collins from the age of 11 years when he passed his examinations at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and at the A.L.C.M. in the London College, to his career during World War II, and his post-war life on stage. Includes Clyde Collins' Non-Combatant Certificate of Identity and a theatre program of J.C. Williamson Theatres Ltd.

1 Album of newspaper and magazine clippings of advertisements for Clyde Collins' appearances at the Canton Restaurant and at work as Musical Director of BTQ-7, for example, book reviews of "The Day the Grog Ran Out", correspondence, and general articles of interest to Clyde Collins. Includes photographs and Invitation and tickets to the Queensland Day Gala Concert by the Premier and Treasurer.

Photograph album of members of the Collins' family, mainly unidentified. Also photographs of theatrical scenes and entertainers.