The Ballad of the Kelly Gang |
This
song, attributed to Joe Byrne, one of Ned's gang, tells
of several of the escapades of the gang. The gang was finally caught at
Glenrowan. Ned Kelly was captured, and later hanged, Dan Kelly, Joe Byme
and Steve Hart were killed.
Oh
sure, Paddy dear and did you hear the news that's going round On
the head of bold Ned Kelly they have placed two thousand pounds For
Dan, Steve Hart and Joey Byrne two thousand each they'll give But
if the sum was double, sure, the Kelly boys would live.
They
rode into Jerilderie town at twelve o'clock at night And
rose the troopers from their beds all in a dreadful fright They
took them in their nightshirts, ashamed am I to tell They
covered them with revolvers and they locked them in a cell.
Twas
in November '78 The Kelly Gang came down Just
after shooting Kennedy near famous Mansfield town Blood
horses rode they all upon, revolvers in their hands; They
took Euroa by surprise, and gold was their demand.
Into
the bank Ned Kelly walked and "Bail Up!" he did say Unlock
the safe, hand out your cash, be quick and don't delay!" Without
a murmur they obeyed the robbers' bold command Ten
thousand pounds in gold and notes they gave into his hand. "Now
hand out all the arms you have!" the audacious scoundrels said And
all your ammunition or a bullet through your head Your
wives and children too must come, just make them look alive Jump
into these conveyances, we'll take them for a drive.
They
drove them to a station about five miles away Where
twenty men already had been bailed up all the day A
hawker also shared their fate as everybody knows And
came in handy to the gang supplying them with their clothes.
They next
destroyed the telegraph by cutting down the wire And of their cast
off clothing they made a small bonfire Throughout the
whole affair boys they never fired a shot They way they worked was splendid and will never be forgot.
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