The Ballad of Stringybark Creek

from Convicts and Bushrangers by The Queensland Tiger

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The event in 1878 which shaped the future of The Kelly Gang. Three policeman died at Stringybark Creek. Violin by Dani Velasco

lyrics

================== LYRICS =================
The Ballad of) Stringybark Creek (event in 1878)
(Traditional)
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[ V1 ]
A sergeant and 3 constables, rode out from Mansfield town
Near the end of last October, to hunt the Kellys down
They headed for the Wombat Hills and thought it quite a lark
To be camped along the borders of a Ck. called Stringybark
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ V2 ]
Scanlon and the sergeant rode away to search the scrub
Leavin’ MacIntyre 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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ V3 ]
Both troupers at a stump alone they were well pleased to see
Watchin’ as the billy boiled, to make their pints of tea
They joked and chatted gaily, never thinking of alarm
Till they heard the dreaded cry behind,“ Bail up ! Throw down your arms ! ”
------------------------------------------------
[ V4 ]
The traps they started wildly, Mac then firmly stood
While Lonigan made tracks to gain the cover of the wood
Brave Kelly muttered sadly as he loaded up his gun,
“ Oh what a flamin’ pity that the beggar tried to run ! ”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ V5 ]
Later in the afternoon the sergeant and his mate
Came riding blindly through the bush, to meet a cruel fate
“ The Kellys have the drop on you ! ” cried MacIntyre aloud
But the troupers thought it was a joke and sat their horses proud
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ V6 ]
Then Trouper Scanlon made a move, his rifle to unsling
But to his heart a bullet sped, and death was in its sting
And Kennedy leapt from his mount, and ran for cover near
And bravely fought until the last for all that he held dear
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ V7 ]
MacIntyre, his life at stake, rode off for Mansfield town
He broke the news that made men vow to shoot the Kellys down
So from that hour the Kelly gang was hunted far and wide
Like outlaw dingoes in the wild .... until the day they died.
=========================================

credits

from Convicts and Bushrangers, track released November 20, 2019
Traditional. Violin by Dani Velasco

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The Queensland Tiger

The Queensland Tiger covers traditional Australian ballads mainly from 19C.: e.g. Henry Lawson, Banjo Paterson, Breaker Morant, Charles Thatcher, etc…. true to the original works.
website : www.thequeenslandtiger.com or Youtube channel : The Queensland Tiger ... more

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