We acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and give respect to their Elders, past and present.

Read our Statement of Reflection

Your Cart

Your cart is empty right now...

Discover what's on
Your Stuff
Lists
No lists found
Create list
List name
0 Saved items
Updated: a few seconds ago
Getting Started
Get started with Your Stuff

A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, list and share your favourite collection items and articles. This account will give you access to Your Stuff, NFSA Player and Pro. You will need to create an additional account for Canberra event tickets.

Confirm
Skip to main content
National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

Song of 'Ata by the Six Castaways

1967

Invalid url

Song of 'Ata by the Six Castaways

1967

  • NFSA IDY1EB2Q42
  • TypeMusic and Sound Recordings
  • MediumAudio
  • FormMusic
  • GenresFolk music
  • Year1967

This custom EMI pressing of Naked Island by Astor Records features songs performed by the Six Castaways, the Tongan schoolboys whose 1965 shipwreck inspired comparisons to The Lord of the Flies.

The recording captures their own voices, reflecting on the ordeal of being stranded on the uninhabited island of 'Ata and yearning for rescue. Gentle acoustic melodies, spoken-word passages and unified harmonies in this clip create a melancholy, intimate experience for listeners as the boys sing of their island and cry for the sea to send them home. Music serves as an avenue for emotional recollection, capturing the stark loneliness of an experience that transcends words.

The boys were stranded on the island for 15 months after stealing a fishing boat before they were eventually rescued by Australian adventurer Peter Warner. While their story was dramatised in a 1966 ATN-7 re-enactment documentary, this recording captures their unfiltered perspective.

This custom EMI pressing of Naked Island by Astor Records features songs performed by the Six Castaways, the Tongan schoolboys whose 1965 shipwreck inspired comparisons to The Lord of the Flies.

The recording captures their own voices, reflecting on the ordeal of being stranded on the uninhabited island of 'Ata and yearning for rescue. Gentle acoustic melodies, spoken-word passages and unified harmonies in this clip create a melancholy, intimate experience for listeners as the boys sing of their island and cry for the sea to send them home. Music serves as an avenue for emotional recollection, capturing the stark loneliness of an experience that transcends words.

The boys were stranded on the island for 15 months after stealing a fishing boat before they were eventually rescued by Australian adventurer Peter Warner. While their story was dramatised in a 1966 ATN-7 re-enactment documentary, this recording captures their unfiltered perspective.

Decades
Tags
    Decades
    Tags
    Industry professional? Go Pro

    Need to license this item? A/V professionals and researchers can shortlist licensing enquiries via our NFSA Pro catalogue search and membership.

    Get started with PRO

    Collections to explore

    More in Stories+

    Personalized your experience

    Save, create and share

    With NFSA Your Stuff