Ned Kelly Songs

Incl. The Ballad Of Ned Kelly (Poor Ned) / Bold Jack Donahue / Farewell to Greta / The Hat Ned Kelly Wore / If Ned Kelly Was King / Kelly Gang (Kellys, Byrne and Hart) / Lonnigan's Widow / Ned Kelly (Souvenir) Song / Ned Kelly Was Born In A Ramshackle Hut / Stringybark Creek / Van Diemen's Land / The Wild Colonial Boy / Ye Sons of Australia / Sources .


Ned Kelly
Ned Kelly and his Gang

Come all you wild and wicked boys that ramble free of care
That ride out on a moonlit night with your horse, your gun & snare
Attention pay to what I say, and value if you can
I'll tell you now the story of Ned Kelly and his Gang

My name is Edward Kelly and I grew a wanted man
Since Old Red sailed from Erin's Isle to plough Van Diemen's land
Always on trial, always beguiled, so I shot the traps and ran
And that's the cruel reason that made the Kelly Gang

There was Joe Byrne and Stevie Hart and my young brother Dan
We stole the squatters' horses and robbed Euroa bank
We did revoke the tyrant's yoke, and lads and lasses sang
Of Harry Power, Jack Donahue and the brave Ned Kelly Gang

Oft times when I did slumber, I had a pleasant dream
My sweetheart sitting near me, down by a purling stream
To Greta fair I did repair, my Mary by the hand
But woken broken-hearted, I cursed the Kelly Gang

For two long years the Kelly Gang ran on a wild career
Till one day round Glenrowan town the troopers standing queer
`Surrender now, lay your guns down, can't you see there's 1 to 10'
And that was how them cowards caught Ned Kelly and his Gang

So all you wild and wicked boys wherever you may be
In armour free or convict chains, come listen unto me
From Melbourne Gaol I bid farewell, tomorrow I'll be hanged
Now say a prayer and don't forget Ned Kelly and his Gang

© Walkin' Tom

The Ballad Of Ned Kelly (Poor Ned) (Trevor Lucas et al.)

Eighteen-hundred and seventy-eight
Was the year I rember so well.
They put my father in an early grave
And slung my mother in gaol.
Now I don't know what's right or wrong
But they hung Christ on nails.
Six kids at home and two still on the breast
They wouldn't even give us bail.

Poor Ned, you're better off dead.
At least you'll get some peace of mind.
You're out on the track, they're right on your back,
Boy, they're gonna hang you high.

You know,
I wrote a letter 'bout Stringybark Creek     I did write a letter
So they would understand                     And I sealed it with my hand
That I might be a bushranger                 Tried to tell about Stringy Bog Creek
But I'm not a murdering man.                 And tried to make them understand
I didn't want to shoot Kennedy               Oh, that I didn't wanna kill Kennedy
Or that copper Lonnigan.                     Or cause his blood to run
He alone could have saved his life           Well he alone could have saved his life
By throwing down his gun.                    By throwing down his gun

Well I'd rather die like Donahue
That bush-ranger so brave
Than be taken by the government
And forced to walk in chains
Well I'd rather fight with all my might
While I have eyes to see
Well I'd rather die ten thousand times
Than hang from a gallow's tree.

You know they took Ned Kelly
And they hung him in the Melbourne Gaol.
He fought so very bravely
Dressed in iron mail.
And no man single handed
Can hope to break the bars.
There's a thousand like Ned Kelly
Who'll hoist the flag of stars.

Bold Jack Donahue

Come all you gallant bushrangers who gallop o'er the plains
Refuse to live in slavery, or wear the convict chains.
Attention pay to what I say, and value if I do
For I will relate the matchless tale of bold Jack Donahue.

Come all you sons of liberty and everyone besides
I'll sing to you a story that will fill you with surprise
Concerning of a bold bushranger, Jack Donahue was his name
And he scorned to humble to the crown, bound down with iron chain.

In Dublin town I was brought up that city of great fame
My parents reared me tenderly, there's many did the same
Being a bold United boy, they sent me across the main
And for seven long years in New South Wales to wear the convict chain

Oh I'd been no longer than six months upon Australian shores
When I turned out as a Fenian boy as I'd often done before
There was Macnamara and Andrew Ward and Captain Mackey too
They were the chief associates of bold Jack Donahoe

As O'Donahoe was taken all for a notorious crime
And sentenced to be hanged on the gallows tree so high
But when he came to Sydney Gaol he left them in a stew
For when they came to call the roll they missed Jack Donahoe

As O'Donahoe made his escape to the woods he did repair
Where the tyrants dared not show their face by night and day
And every week in the newspapers there was published something new
Concerning that bold bushranger they called Jack Donahoe

As O'Donahoe was walking one summer's afternoon
Little was his notion that his death should be so soon
When a sergeant of the horse police discharged his carabine
And loudly called to O'Donahoe to fight or else resign

Now one day as he was riding the mountainside alone
Not thinking that the pains of death would overtake him soon.
When all he spied the horse police well on they came up into view
And in double quick time they did advance to take Jack Donahue.

``Oh Donahue, Donahue, throw down your carbine.
Or do you intend to fight us all and will you not resign?''
``Surrender to such cowardly dogs is a thing that I never would do,
For this day I'll fight with all my might'', cried Bold Jack Donahue.

Resign to you, you cowardly dogs its a thing I ne'er shall do
I'd rather fight with all my might said bold Jack Donahue
For I'll range these woods and valleys like a wolf or kangaroo
Before I'll work for government said bold Jack Donahoe

Now the sergeant and the corporal, their men they did divide
Some fired at him from behind and some from every side.
The sergeant and the corporal, they both fired at him, too.
And a rifle bullet pierced the heart of Bold Jack Donahue.

Nine rounds the horse policeman fired till at length a fatal ball
He lodged it in O'Donahoe's breast and it caused him for to fall
And as he closed his mournful eyes to this world he bid adieu
Good people all, both great and small, pray for Jack Donahoe

Farewell to Greta

Farewell my home in Greta, now my sisters fare thee well
It breaks my heart that we must part, but here I dare not dwell
The brand of Cain is on my brow, my hands are stained with gore
So I must roam in future years throughout the Australian shore

Even now the price is on my head and bloodhounds on my trail
All for the sake of gaining gold my freedom they assail
But if they cross or check my path, by all I hold on earth,
I'll give them cause to rue the day their mothers gave them birth

I'll shoot them down like kangaroos that roam our country wide
And leave their bodies bleaching upon some woodland side
A prey to every prowling bird the hawk and carrion crow
It's thus I'd serve each the cowardly curs who'd cause my overthrow

Oh Edward dearest brother you know you should not go
All for to be encountered by such a mighty foe
You know the country well, dear Ned, go take your comrades there
And profit by your knowledge of the wombat and the bear

To eastward lies great Morgan's tower and reaching to the sky
North-east by east the mighty range of Gippsland's mountains lie
See, yonder ride four troopers, one kiss before we part
Now haste and join your three comrades Dan, Joe and Stevie Hart

Let no petty quarrels part the union of your gang,
But stick to one another, Ned, and guard my brother Dan.

The Hat Ned Kelly Wore

Good evening to youse one and all, good luck to what I say,
I've just stepped in to see you boys before I go away,
I've brought to you the relics boys, of the good old days of yore,
You'll curse the day you trampled on the hat Ned Kelly wore.

You may talk about your cheese cutters and your stiff brim panamas.
You may talk about your war caps all colours and bright stars.
I've searched the Chinese stations, from Hong Kong to Singapore,
And I never seen the equal of the hat Ned Kelly wore.

IF Ned Kelly Was King (Moginie/Garrett)

Hollows threats and a great adventure
So much business, towns in the dirt
Company cans and efficient Americans

Three black boys sit in the corner
White woman waiting to talk
Lots of intention but no understanding

If Ned Kelly was king
He'd make those robbers swing
He'd send them down

Out in the deadheart tourists and cameras
Four wheel drives wreck, snapshots and slides
Follow the brochures but nothing's inside

Heavy machinery loud in the outback
Dreamtime developers they make all the sound
Where will we be when they leave us a quarry?

If Ned Kelly was king
He'd make those robbers swing
He'd send them down there
He'd make them stay
And we can hope

Kelly Gang (Kelly's Byrne and Hart) (Tune: The Wearing of the Green, The Cherry Tree)

(1)

Come all you sons of liberty, the news is going round
That on the bold Ned Kelly's head they've set a thousand pound
For Steve Hart and Dan Kelly five hundred they will give
But if the sum was doubled, I'm sure the Kelly boys would live

It was in November Seventy Nine, the Kelly boys came down
After shooting sergeant Kennedy, they rode into Euroa town
To rob the bank of all its gold was their idea that day
Blood horses they was mounted on to make their getaway

Ned Kelly walked into the bank a pistol in his hand
Hand over all the money now ten thousand pound on demand
Likewise the ammunition the bold Ned Kelly said
And get on the go and dont be slow or I'll shoot youse through the head

An Afghan hawker they captured next as everybody knows
He come in handy to the gang by fitting them out with clothes
And of their worn out rags me boys they made a few bonfires
And then destroyed the telegraph by cutting down the wires

They raced into Jerilderie town about twelve o'clock at night
They caught the troopers in their beds and gave them a hell of a fright
They held them up at pistol point and I'm ashamed to tell
They marched them along in their nightshirts and they locked them in a cell

Next morning dressed in troopers clothes still owners of the ground
They took their horses to the forge and had them shod free all round
They led them back and mounted and their plans worked out so well
They strolled along the main street and stuck up the Royal Hotel

Their robbing over the mounted then and made a quick retreat
They swept awy with all their loot along down Morgan's old beat
And where they are now well I dont know if I did I wouldn't tell
So now until I hear from them I bid youse all fairwell

(2)

It was in November, seventy-eight, when the Kelly Gang came down
Just after shooting Kennedy in famed Euroa town
Blood horses they were all upon, revolvers in their hand
They took the township by surprise, and gold was their demand

Ned Kelly walked into the bank, a cheque all in his hand
For to have it changed for money, now of Scott he did demand
And when that he refused him, he looking at him straight
Said, "See here, my name's Ned Kelly, and this here man's my mate"

They rode into Jerilderie town at twelve o'clock at night
Aroused the troopers from their beds and gave them an awful fright
They took them in their nightshirts, ashamed I am to tell
They covered them with revolvers and locked them in a cell

They next acquainted the women-folk that they were going to stay
And take possession of the camp until the following day
They fed their horses in the stalls, without the slightest fear
Then went to rest their weary limbs till daylight did appear

Next morning being Sunday morn, of course they must be good
They dressed themselves in troopers' clothes, and Ned he chopped some wood
Now no-one there suspected them, as troopers they did pass
And Dan, the most religious, took the troopers wife to Mass

They spent the day most pleasantly, had plenty of good cheer
With fried beef steak and onions, tomato sauce and beer
The ladies in attendance indulged in pleasant talk
And just to ease the troopers' minds, they took them for a walk

It was when they robbed Euroa bank you said they'd be run down
But now they've robbed another one that's in Jerilderie town
That's in Jerilderie town, my boys, and we're here to take their part
And shout again "Long may they reign - the Kellys, Byrne and Hart"

As high above the mountains so beautiful and grand
Our young Australian heroes in bold defiance stand
In bold defiance stand, my boys, the heroes of today
So let us stand together boys, and shout again, "Hurray" 

(3)

Oh Paddy dear, and did you hear the news that's going round?
On the head of old Ned Kelly they have placed a thousand pounds,
And on Steve Hart, Joe Byrne and Dan, two thousand more they give,
But if the price was double, boys, the Kelly gang would live.

'Tis hard to think such plucky hearts in crime should be employed,
Police, persecution, they've all been much annoyed,
Revenge is sweet and in the bush they can defy the law,
So sticking up and plundering you never saw before.

'Twas in November '78 when the Kelly gang came down,
Just after shooting Kennedy to claim Euroa town.
To rob the bank of all its gold was their idea that day,
Blood horses they were mounted on to make their getaway.

With pistols pointing at his nut the cashier stood amazed,
His stick he would have liked to cut, but was with funk half crazed.
The safe was quickly gutted then; the draws turned out as well,
The Kellys being quite polite like any noble swell.

They rode into Jerilderie town at 12 o'clock at night,
Aroused the troopers from their beds and gave them an awful fright.
They took them in their nightshirts, ashamed I am to tell,
They covered them with revolvers and then locked them in a cell.

The next day being Sunday morn, of course they must be good,
They dressed themselves in troopers' clothes, and many chopped some wood.
No one there suspected them as troopers they did pass,
And Dan, the most religious one, took a sergeant's wife to mass.

On Monday morning early still the masters of the ground,
They took their horses to a forge and had them shod all round,
Then back they came and mounted, their plans they laid so well,
In company with the troopers they stuck up the Royal Hotel.

The robbery o'er, they mounted then, to make a quick retreat,
They slipped away with all their loot by Morgan's ancient beat;
And where they've gone I do not know; if I did I would not tell,
So now until I hear from them, I'll bid you all farewell.

Lonnigan's Widow (Sheil Silverstein)

Now four jolly troopers from Mansfield town
Set out to hunt the Kelly boys down
They searched through the wombat for most of the week
And they camped on the banks of the Stringybark Creek

But Lonnigan's widow, she's singin' no songs
She walks these red hills and cries all night long
They say that Ned Kelly ain't never done wrong
But tell that to Lonnigan's widow

Early that mornin' 'midst laughter and shoutin'
Kennedy and Scanlon they rode off a scoutin'
Left McIntyre to cook up the grub
While Lonnigan sang at the old washin' tub

They were cleanin' the camp and brewin' up tea
When up jumped Ned Kelly with his comrades three
A shout and a cry and a crack of a gun
Lonnigan staggers and Lonnigan's done

He's crawlin' he's cryin' he's clawin' the ground
His voice makes a pleading and pitiful sound
Of the way that he's dyin' nobody will speak
When thy tell of the glories of Stringybark Creek

So sing of Ned Kelly that lad of renown
The pride of Australia the scourge of the Crown
Sing of his bravery and God bless his head
And bury the truth as you bury the dead

Ned Kelly (Souvenir) Song (Peter Hicks, Geoff Francis)

You should go down to Glenrowan, they've got so much going & there's heaps for you to see,
You can start your day at the Ned Kelly museum, it's a slice of history.
You can see all them relics & lots of exhibits & the newspaper cuttings too,
But best of all are the souvenirs you can take away with you.

They've got
Ned Kelly boomerangs, Ned Kelly billy cans, Ned Kelly kangaroos,
Ned Kelly toothpicks, Ned Kelly horse whips and Ned Kelly helmets too.
Ned Kelly pistols, Ned Kelly crystals, New Age Ned Kellies and more,
With Ned Kelly key rings and Ned Kelly g-strings, made in Singapore.

For a good half hour you can take in the power of the Ned Kelly theatre show.
They've got illustrations & animations & Ned Kellies on the go.
It's such a thrill that you won't sit still & you'll find the time has flown.
And you'll want to stop at the theatre shop for something to take home.

They've got
Ned Kelly boomerangs, Ned Kelly billy cans, Ned Kelly kangaroos,
Ned Kelly toothpicks, Ned Kelly horse whips and Ned Kelly helmets too.
Ned Kelly condoms, Ned Kelly bonbons, Ned Kelly jams and sauce,
Ned Kelly pencils, Ned Kelly stencils and Ned Kellies on a horse.
Ned Kelly pistols, Ned Kelly crystals, New age Ned Kellies and more,
With Ned Kelly key rings and Ned Kelly g-strings made in Singapore.

Be sure not to miss the giant Ned Kelly, I know you'll be impressed.
But of all of the wonders of Glenrowan, the Ned Kelly Inn is best.
You can sit outside in the noon day sun & sip on a Ned Kelly ale,
And while you're there you can pick up your share of the artefacts for sale.

They've got
Ned Kelly boomerangs, Ned Kelly billy cans, Ned Kelly kangaroos,
Ned Kelly toothpicks, Ned Kelly horse whips and Ned Kelly helmets too.
Ned Kelly condoms, Ned Kelly bonbons, Ned Kelly jams and sauce,
Ned Kelly pencils, Ned Kelly stencils and Ned Kellies on a horse.
Ned Kelly teaspoons, Ned Kelly perfumes, Ned Kelly bars of soap,
Ned Kelly beer mats, Ned Kelly bush hats, and Ned Kellies on a rope.
Ned Kelly pistols, Ned Kelly crystals, New age Ned Kellies and more,
With Ned Kelly key rings and Ned Kelly g-strings made in Singapore.

Ned Kelly Was Born In A Ramshackle Hut

Ned Kelly was born in a ramshackle hut,
He battled since he was a kid,
He grew up with duffers and bad men and thieves
And learned all the things that they did.

Ned Kelly would ride from the back-country hills,
He'd ride into town like a lord,
He'd steal all the squatters' fine horses, and then
He would take them back for the reward.

At sixteen young Ned was a wild, reckless lad,
Helped hold up a coach without fear,
But he was arrested, remanded, and then,
They put him in gaol for a year.

When he came out, he was bitter and hard,
Far worse than he ever had been,
He robbed and he plundered, became a wild boy,
The wildest Australia had seen.

He shot down the troopers who came on his track,
And laughed at the price on his head,
Ten thousand pounds for the whole of the gang,
And two thousand pounds just for Ned.

The bank at Jerilderie next took his eye,
This job brought him lots of renown,
He wasn't contented to stick up the bank,
But he held up the whole flaming town.

Down at Glenrowan they held up the pub,
They were having a drink and a song,
The troopers rode up and surrounded the place,
The Kellys had waited too long.

Ned came out shooting, a gun in each hand,
And wearing his armour of steel,
He was fifteen times wounded before he fell down,
Never more would he plunder and steal.

They took him to Melbourne, and nursed him to health,
The Judge said, 'You're guilty!' to Ned,
A rope from a rafter, the sun in the east,
And the famous Ned Kelly was dead.

Some say he's a hero who gave to the poor,
While others 'A killer!' they say,
It just goes to show the old saying is true,
The saying that 'Crime does not pay.'

Yet when I look round at some people I know,
And the prices of things that I buy,
I say to myself, 'Well, perhaps after all,
Poor Ned wasn't such a bad guy.'

Stringybark Creek (Tunes: Paddy Fagan, Wearing of the Green, Stringybark Creek)

A Sergeant and three constables set out from Mansfield town
Near the end of last October for to hunt the Kellys down;
They started for the Wombat Hills and thought it quite a lark
When they camped upon the borders of a creek called Stringybark.

They had grub and ammunition there to last them many a week,
And next morning two of them rode out, all to explore the creek,
Leaving Mclntyre behind them at the camp to cook the grub
And Lonergan to sweep the floor and boss the washing-tub.

It was shortly after breakfast Mac thought he heard a noise
So gun in hand he sallied out to try and find the cause,
But he never saw the Kellys planted safe behind a log
So he sauntered back to smoke and yarn and wire into the prog.

   When Scanlon and the sergeant rode away to search the scrub
   Leaving Mclntyre and Lonigan in camp to cook the grub,
   Ned Kelly and his comrades came to take a nearer look,
   For being short of flour they wished to interview the cook.

But Ned Kelly and his comrades thought they'd like a nearer look,
For being short of grub they wished to interview the cook;
And of firearms and cartridges they found they had too few,
So they longed to grab the pistols and ammunition too.

Both the troopers at a stump alone they were well pleased to see
Watching as the billies boiled to make their pints of tea;
There they joked and chatted gaily never thinking of alarms
Till they Heard the fearful cry behind, "Bail up, throw up your arms!"

The traps they started wildly and Mac then firmly stood
While Lonergan made tracks to try and gain the wood,
Reaching round for his revolver, but before he touched the stock
Ned Kelly pulled the trigger, fired, and dropped him like a rock.

Then after searching McIntyre all through the camp they went-
And cleared the guns and cartridges and pistols from the tent,
But brave Kelly muttered sadly as he loaded up his gun,
"Oh, what a bloody pity that the bastards tried to run."

'Twas later in the afternoon the sergeant and his mate
Came riding blithely through the bush to meet a cruel fate.
"The Kellys have the drop on you!" cried McIntyre aloud,
But the troopers took it as a joke and sat their horses proud.

Then trooper Scanlan made a move his rifle to unsling,
But to his heart a bullet sped and death was in the sting;
Then Kennedy leapt from his mount and ran for cover near,
And fought, a game man to the last, for all that life held dear.

The sergeant's horse raced from the camp alike from friend and foe,
And McIntyre, his life at stake, sprang to the saddle-bow
And galloped far into the night, a haunted, harassed soul,
Then like a hunted bandicoot hid in a wombat hole.

At dawn of day he hastened forth and made for Mansfield town
To break the news that made men vow to shoot the bandits down,
So from that hour the Kelly gang was hunted far and wide,
Like outlawed dingoes of the wild until the day they died.

Van Diemen's Land

Come all you gallant poachers that ramble void of care,
That walk out on a moonlit night with you dog, your gun and snare.
The hare and lofty pheasant you have at your command'
Not thinking of your last career upon Van Diemen's Land.

Poor Thomas Brown from Nenagh Town, Jack Murphy and poor Joe,
We was three determined poachers as the country well does know.
One night we were trepanned by the keeper's hideous hands,
And for fourteen years transported upon Van Diemen's Land.

The first day that we landed here upon the fatal shore,
The planters came around us, some twenty score or more;
They ranked us up like horses and they sold us out of hand,
And they yoked us up to plough, my boys, to plough Van Diemen's Land.

The houses that we live in are built of mud and clay
With rotten straw for bedding, we dared not to say nay.
Our cots were fenced with fire, and we slumber as we can,
To keep away the wolves and tigers upon Van Diemen's Land.

There was a girl from Newport, Susan Summers was her name,
For fourteen years transported was we all well knew the same
But she took the captain's fancy and he married her out of hand,
And she gives us all good treatment upon Van Diemen's Land

Oft times when I do slumber I have a pleasant dream;
With my sweetheart I am sitting close to a purling stream;
Through Ireland I am roaming with my true love by the hand;
But waken broken-hearted upon Van Diemen's Land.

God bless our wives and families likewise that happy shore
That isle of sweet contentment whcih we shall see no more
As four our wretched females see them we seldom can
There are twenty to one woman upon Van Diemen's Land.

Oh if I had a thousand pounds all laid out in my hand
I'd give it all for liberty if that I could command,
Once more to Ireland I'd return and be a happy man,
And bid adieu to poaching and to Van Diemen's Land.

So all you lively poaching lads, this warning take from me:
I'd have you quit night walking and avoid bad company,
And throw aside your guns and snares, for let me tell you plain,
If you knew of our misfortunes you would never poach again.

(2)

Come all you wild and wicked youths wherever you may be
I pray you give attention and listen unto me
The fate of our poor transports you shall understand
The hardships they undergo upon Van Diemen's Land.

Come all young men, beware, lest you be drawn into a snare,
Come all young men, beware, lest you be drawn into a snare.

My parents reared me tenderly, good learning gave to me
Till with bad men I was beguiled, which proved my destiny
O' I was brought up in Worchestershire, near to the town did dwell
My name is Henry Albert and many knows me well.

Me and five more went out one night to Squire Dunhill's park.
Hoping we might get some game but the night did prove too dark.
And to our sad misfortune, they've hemmed us in with speed
They sent us off to Warwick Gaol, which caused our hearts to bleed.

'Twas at the March Assizes, to the bar we did repair
And like Job we stood with patience to hear our sentence there.
But we being old offenders, it made our case go hard
They sentenced us for fourteen years, straightway being sent on board.

The ship that bore us from the land, the Speedwell was her name.
And for full five months and upward we ploughed the watery main.
We saw no land nor harbor, believe me it's no lie
All about us one black ocean, above us one blue sky.

On the 15th of September, 'twas then we made the land
And at four o'clock that morning, they've chained us hand to hand.
And to see my fellow sufferers, it filled my heart with woe
For there's some chained to the harrow, and others to the plough.

No shoes nor stockings had they on, no hats had they to wear,
But they'd leather smocks and linsey drawers, and their hands and feet were bare.
And they tied us up all two by two, like horses in a team
And the driver he stood over us with his Malacca cane.

They marched us off to Sydney town without no more delay,
And a merchant, he had bought me, his book-keeper to be.
Well, I liked my occupation, my master served me well
And my joys were without number, the truth to you I'll tell.

We had a female prisoner there, Rosanna was her name
For fourteen years transported, from Worcestershire she came.
We oft-times told our tales of love, when we were safe at home
But it's now we're rattling of our chains, in foreign lands to roam.

Last night as I lay in my bed, of Wooster I did dream
With my true love beside me there, down by some burbli' stream
But a-broken hearted I awoke, alone and far from home
For now we're rattli' in our chains, in foreign lands to roam.

So come all you wild and reckless youths, that listen unto me.
Mark well the tale that I do tell, and guard your destiny.
It's about us poor transported lads, as you may understand
And the trials that we undergo, going to Van Diemen's land.

The Wild Colonial Boy

There was a Wild Colonial Boy Jack Duggan was his name
Of poor but honest parents was born in Castlemaine
He was his father's favourite and his mother's only joy
And dearly did they always love the Wild Colonial Boy

So come along my hearties we'll roam the mountain side
Together we will plunder together we will ride
We'll ride over hills and mountains and gallop over the plains
For we scorn to die in slavery bound down by iron chains

He was scarcely sixteen years of age when he left his father's home
And through Australia's sunny climes the bushranger did roam
He robbed those loyal squatters and their flocks he did destroy
And a terror to Australia was the Wild Colonial Boy

Oh Jack strolled out one morning and he softly rode along
Listening to the mocking bird their merry laughing song
Up rode three mounted troopers Davis Kelly and Fitzroy
And of course rode up to capture the Wild Colonial Boy

"Surrender now Jack Duggan you see there's three to one
Surrender in the Queen's name you outlaw plundering son"
Jack drew a pistol from his belt and he flashed the little toy
"I'll fight but not surrender" cried the Wild Colonial Boy

Now he fired at trooper Kelly and he brought him to the ground
And in return from Davis he received a dreadful wound
With one leg in the saddle still firing at Fitzroy
Now that's the way they captured the Wild Colonial Boy

Ye Sons of Australia

Ye sons of Australia forget not your braves,
Bring the wild forest flowers to strew o'er your graves,
Of the four daring heroes whose race it is run,
And place on their tombs the wild laurels they've won.

On the banks of Euroa they made their first rush,
They cleared out at Coppies, then steered through the bush,
Black trackers and troopers soon did them pursue
But cast out their anchor when near them they drew.

The daring Kate Kelly how noble her mien
As she sat on her horse like an Amazon queen,
She rode through the forest revolver at hand
Regardless of danger, who dare bid her stand.

May the angels protect this young heroine bold
And her name be recorded in letters of gold
Though her brothers were outlaws, she loved them most dear,
And hastened to tell them when danger was near.

But the great God of Mercy who scans all her ways
Commanded grim death to shorten their days,
Straightway to Glenrowan their course did he steer
To slay those bold outlaws and stop their career.

The daring Ned Kelly came forth from the inn,
To wreak his last vengeance he then did begin,
To slaughter the troopers straightway he did go,
And tore up the railway their train to o'erthrow.

But the great God of Mercy, to baulk his intent,
And stop the destruction, a messenger sent,
A person named Curnow, who seemed in great dread,
Cried out to the troopers, 'There's danger ahead!'

But Time hath its changes; how dreadful their fate,
They found out their error when it was too late.
The house was surrounded by troopers two-score,
And also expected a great many more.

The daring Ned Kelly, revolver in hand,
Came to the verandah, the troopers he scanned,
Said he 'You cursed wretches, we do you defy,
We will not surrender, we conquer or die.'

Like the free sons of Ishmael, brought up in the wilds,
Amongst forests and mountains, and rocky defiles
These brave lawless fellows could not be controlled,
And fought ten to one, until dearth we are told.

Next day at Glenrowan, how dreadful the doom,
Of Hart and Dan Kelly shut up in a room,
A trooper named Johnson, set the house all aflame
To burn those bold outlaws, it was a great shame

The daring Kate Kelly came forth from the crowd
And on her poor brother she called out aloud,
'Come forth my dear brother, and fight while you can'
But a ball had just taken the life of poor Dan.

Next morning our hero came forth from the bush
Encased in strong armour his way did he push.
To gain his bold comrades it was his desire -
The troopers espied him, and soon opened fire.

The bullets bound off him just like a stone wall,
His fiendish appearance soon did them appall.
His legs unprotected a trooper soon found,
And a shot well directed brought him to the ground.

Now he arose captured, and stripped off his mail,
Well guarded by troopers and taken to gaol.
Convicted for murder, it grieved him full sore,
His friends and relations his fate may deplore.

Now, all you young fellows take warning by me,
Beware of bushranging, and bad company,
For like many others you may feel the dart
Which pierced the two Kellys, Joe Byrne, and Steve Hart.

Some sources:

www.crixa.com/muse/songnet/, www.mudcat.org, scs.une.edu.au/Bushrangers/songs.htm, www.garyshearston.com/html/bolters.html, www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/~zierke/, www.grainger.de/music/

Article: Come all you gallant bushrangers - Ned Kelly in Australian Folk Song


Compiled by Walkin' T:-)M (10/02).