Kelly Was Their Captain

Come all you wild colonial boys, and attention to me pay
For in my song I will unfold the truth without delay
'Twas of a famous outlawed band that roamed this country round
Ned Kelly was their captain and no better could be found

But the Governor of Victoria was an enemy of this man
And a warrant he likewise did put out to take his brother Dan
But alas, one day, some troopers came, young Dan to apprehend
And he like a tiger stood at bay, his mother to defend

Five hundred pounds reward was made for Ned, wherever he was found
And from place to place was hunted as if he were a hound
Now driven to desperation to the bush brave Ned did take
Young Dan, Steve Hart and brave Joe Byrne, all for his mother's sake

And although they deemed them outlaws, brave men they proved to be
And vengeance ranked in every heart for Kelly's misery
They burned his mother's vine-clad hut, which caused his heart to yearn
And angered his companions, Dan, Steve Hart and brave Joe Byrne

One day as Ned and his comrades in ambush were concealed
They spied three mounted troopers and their presence did reveal
They called to them, 'Surrender!' These words to them he said -
'Resist a man amongst you and I'll surely shoot you dead.'

Now Kennedy, Scanlon and Lonergan, in death were lying low
When Ned amongst them recognised his old and viscious foe;
Then thoughts came of his mother with a baby at her breast
And it filled Ned's heart with anger, and the country knows the rest

It was at the Wombat Ranges where Ned Kelly made his haunt
And all those Victorian troopers at that name would truly daunt;
For months they lay in ambush until finally were betrayed
By traitor Aaron Sherritt, and his life the treachery paid

It was at the Glenrowan station where the conflict raged severe
When more than fifty policemen at the scene then did appear
No credit to their bravery, no credit to their name
Ned Kelly terrified them all and put their blood to shame