Story: Popular music

'David Lowston'

The anonymous ballad 'David Lowston' recalls the real-life travails of a group of sealers led by David Lowrieston (the 'Lowston' of the title), who were stranded on Open Bay Island (pictured here) and the West Coast of New Zealand between 1810 and 1813. It was probably composed in Sydney around 1814. Part of the song is sung here by the Bach Choir of Wellington.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10048349
Photograph by Paddy Ryan

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Sound file from Bach Choir of Wellington

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Chris Bourke, 'Popular music - Early settlers, 18th and early 19th centuries', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/music/42568/david-lowston (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Chris Bourke, published 22 Oct 2014