| Listen to the ballad "How does the heart of an Exprlorer Grow" by Melanie Horsnell. On You tube
Folk singer from Candelo, NSW, Melanie Horsnell received a High Distinction Diploma in the International Competition "In the Spirit of Strzelecki". It's in fact only the song in English about Paul Edmund Strzelecki, explorer, scientist and a humanitarian figure, and friend of the First Nations, written in Australia. It was performed during a Competition Gala in Sydney organized by Kosciuszko Heritage Inc. to celebrate the Strzelecki Year announced by the Polish Parliament on the 150th anniversary of Sir Strzelecki's death. Listen to the unique song "How does the Heart of an Explorer Grow" by Melanie Horsnell.
Photo by H. Iglinski.
Produced by Kosciuszko Heritage Inc. Sydney October 2023.
HOW DOES THE HEART OF AN EXPLORER GROW - MELANIE HORSNELL
What makes the heart of an explorer grow
From Głuszyna to the homelands of the Ngarigo
Across the world Strzelecki did roam
Gathering the knowledge of other cultures homes
From the rocks and the trees
The great spirits
Making friends and learning
from all men
And their ways
Always offering respect
How does the heart of an explorer grow
By walking 7000 miles across Australian land
With Charlie Tarra and Jackey as his friends
Surviving on bush food
Climbing snowy mountains
Greeted by familiar and new
He named a mount for freedom and his homeland
Landscape of different lines tintas and shadows
Original and beautiful
Eucalyptus dreams
What makes the heart of an explorer grow
Pleading for humanity and protecting our earth
He saw it in the treatment of the colonised
Their beautiful cultures being crushed and compromised
So he told us of their calm,
their dances
and their songs
And reminded those who read
To open up their eyes to find a better world
How does the heart of an explorer grow?
Strzelecki was a future man from a different time
But we can learn from his spirit and his words
The path forward to loving each others cultures
Photo Henry Iglinski. Melanie on the right. |
Melanie has been described by the Sydney Morning Herald as having a voice of ‘the utmost delicateness’, as a ‘songwriting gem’ by The Australian. Based in Candelo in southern NSW, singer-songwriter Melanie Horsnell has recorded Eleven albums and EPs including her latest solo album, "Trobairitz". Melanie’s critically acclaimed album "The Cloud Appreciation Society" was long-listed for the 2013 Australian Music Prize, "Quatre Chemins" for the 2015 Australian Music Prize, and she was nominated for an APRA award in 2011.
She has toured with Glen Hansard and The Frames, Jason Mraz, Bernard Fanning, Lou Rhodes, Slaid Cleaves and Sarah Blasko among others, as well as touring extensively on her own in Australia and Europe. Melanie recorded an album in French, which was funded by the highly successful Pozible campaign and gave Melanie a six month residency in France, writing songs with poet Alain Rivet and pop icon Helena Noguerra. Melanie has also written songs with Wendy Matthews and Catherine Britt, and for film and television. In February 2019, Melanie had the opportunity to perform at the International Folk Alliance in Montreal and has since toured in Australia, Ireland, France and Germany.
In 2020 Melanie, Kate Burke and Robyn Martin came together to form The New Graces. Their 2020 debut album release “Seasons” topped the ARIA Australian Country Music chart, and they have been described by many as refreshing and heartwarming, with a vital Australian sound. Melanie is currently recording her new album "Gold and Carnelian", which will feature full production and it will be released in early 2024.
Melanie Horsnell
Phone: 0490 343 041
Website: www.melaniehorsnell.com.au
Music Store: www.melaniehorsnell.bandcamp.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/melaniehorsnell
Facebook: www.facebook.com/melaniehorsnellmusic | 
