| Lyrics
& Liner Notes
All items “Traditional Australian’ and of unknown
authorship unless otherwise noted.
1. The Hat Ned Kelly
Wore
In 1960 Alan Scott collected two verses of
this song from Alec Argus of Gumly Gumly, NSW (Alan Scott Collection
- NLA*) and published them in "A Collector's Songbook".
Mr Argus had learned the song from an Irishman and mentioned to
Alan that he had forgotten three verses of the song. The verses
contained the phrases "through Strathbogie Ranges" and
"it wakens in the policeman's heart fond memories of yore".
Five years later Alan recorded the song it was a parody of - "The
Hat McGinnis Wore" from Susan Colley of Wattle Flat / Bathurst,
NSW. John Meredith and Bill Scott added additional verses and
a chorus based on the original song, and published the "The
Hat Ned Kelly Wore" in "Ned Kelly: After a century of
acrimony" (Lansdowne Press - 1980). Mr Argus had sung the
song to a different tune.
We first heard the song from Jacko Kevans and he used the setting
we have used here - the tune "The Wearing of the Green".
Good evening to you one
and all, good luck to what I say,
I've just stepped in among you all before I go away.
I've brought with me the relics of the good old days of yore,
And I’ll sing to you a song about the hat Ned Kelly wore.
Chorus
It was made of rusty iron, the finest ever known,
It was worn in 1880 at the hotel at Glenrowan,
And it terrified those troopers, the minions of the law,
When they saw it in the morning mist, the hat Ned Kelly wore.
My name is Larry Doolan,
I’m a true Australian man.
I was born of Irish parents in the township of Wallan.
I can sing and dance with any man when I take to the floor,
But I curse the day they trampled on the hat Ned Kelly wore.
Chorus
It was made of rusty iron, and the finest ever known,
It was worn in 1880 at the hotel at Glenrowan,
And it terrified those troopers, who terrorized the poor,
‘Tis a relic of a hero, the hat Ned Kelly wore.
You can talk about your
homburgs, your stiff brim panamas.
You may talk about your war caps all fine colours and bright stars.
You can search Strathbogie ranges, Timbuktu or Singapore,
But you’ll never find the equal of the hat Ned Kelly wore.
Chorus
It was made of rusty iron, and the finest ever known,
It was worn in 1880 at the hotel at Glenrowan,
And it terrified those troopers, who terrified the poor,
‘Tis a relic of a hero, the hat Ned Kelly wore.
If ever I return again,
my native home to see,
I hope you’ll, in the old bush way, a welcome give to me,
With the songs about the Kelly gang to cheer me o’er and
o’er,
And make me want to see again the hat Ned Kelly wore.
Chorus
It was made of rusty iron, and the finest ever known,
It was worn in 1880 at the hotel at Glenrowan,
And it terrified those troopers, who terrorized the poor,
‘Tis a relic of a hero, the hat Ned Kelly wore.
2. The Dark Eyed Gypsies
From Val Turton of Binalong, NSW - collected
by John Meredith and Rob Willis (John Meredith Collection - NLA).
There lived three gypsies in the east,
They sang so light and so gaily-o,
They sang so sweet and so very, very sweet
That they charmed the heart of a lady-o.
Now Charlie he came
home one night,
Inquiring for his lady-o,
She’s gone, she’s gone said the old servant man.
She’s following the dark eyed gypsies-o.
Then saddle me my milk
white steed,
And go fetch me my pony-o,
I’ll ride until I seek my bride
Who is following the dark eyed gypsies-o.
Now Charlie rode through
the length of the night,
Until next morning early-o,
It was there he met with his only wedded wife,
While she was following the dark eyed gypsies-o.
What do you care for
your house and your land,
And what do you care for your money-o?
And what do you care for your only wedded lord,
While you’re following the dark eyed gypsies-o?
Now what do I care for
my house and my land,
And what do I care for my money-o?
I’ll eat of the grass and I’ll drink of the snow,
While I’m following the dark eyed gypsies-o.
Last night you slept
on a goose feather bed,
Between your husband and baby-o;
But tonight you sleep on the cold cold ground,
while you’re following the dark eyed gypsies-o.
3. The Morning of the Fray
Based on a set of words credited to Frank
Gardiner himself. Jason first heard the song as a young boy -
he’s not sure where.
It’s all about bold Frank Gardiner
with the Devil in his eyes.
He said, “We’ve work before us lads, we’ve got
to do or die.
So blacken up your faces before the dead of night,
And it’s over by Eugowra Rocks we’ll either fall or
fight”.
“We’ll stop
the Orange escort with powder and with ball.
We’ll shoot the coach to pieces and we’ll down the
peelers all.
We’ll lift the diggers’ money and we’ll collar
all their gold,
So mind your guns are killers now me comrades true and bold”.
Chorus
You can sing of Johnny Gilbert, Dan Morgan and Ben Hall,
But the Bold and reckless Gardiner, he’s the boy to beat
them all.
So now off go the rifles,
the battle has begun,
The escort’s started running boys, all in the setting sun.
The robbers seized their plunder, so saucy and so bold,
Now they’re riding from Eugowra Rocks encumbered with their
gold.
Chorus
And as with savage laughter
they left that fatal place,
He cried, “We’ve struck bonanza boys; we’ve
won the steeple chase”.
And Gardiner, the darkie, he shouted a loud, “Hooray!
Oh I think we’ve made our
fortune at Eugowra Rocks today”.
4. Corkwood Jig / Fullers” Barn Jig
Two tunes from Charlie Kyle of Nulla Nulla
Creek, NSW (Rob Willis Collection - NLA). We have named these
tunes in honour of two important features of the Nulla Valley.
5. Gentle Annie
A parody of a Stephen Foster song. Our reading
is a combination of versions from Tom Newbound of Rutherglen,
Victoria and Simon McDonald of Cresswick, Victoria (Norm O'Connor
Collection - NLA).
When the harvest time comes, Gentle Annie,
And the wild oats are scattered round your door,
You'll be anxious to know, Gentle Annie,
How your little stack of oats is going to yield.
Oh, your mutton's very sweet, Gentle Annie,
And I'm sure it can't be packed in New South Wales.
But you'd better put a fence round those cabbage
Or they'll be all het up by the snails.
And you'll take my advice,
Gentle Annie,
And you'll watch the old chaffie going away.
With his pack-bag hung on his saddle
And he stole some knives and forks the other day.
When the springtime comes Gentle Annie
And the wild flowers scatter o’er the plains,
Will I never more behold you?
I’ll never hear your witty voice again.
Ah, the bullocks they
are yoked, Gentle Annie,
And with you I can no longer stay.
I'll bid you farewell, Gentle Annie,
And hope we'll meet another thrashing day.
We're traveling on the road into Bonang,
Gathering up a feeder Billy Yates.
Shall we meet again gentle Annie,
Next year when we're thrashing round your door.
I shall never forget you dear Annie,
The little dark eyed girl that I adore.
6. Packing My Things
A well known traditional New Zealand folk
song which first appeared in a mid 19th century newspaper. The
song is usually sung in waltz time. We learned this 4/4 version
from the singing of Alan Musgrove. Alan credits Ken McMaster with
the adaptation of the song.
When I came here and took up my claim
‘Bill Muggins’ it was my name.
And although I’m a young man and able
Well I’m sitting here rocking the cradle,
And that’s just a ‘Bill Muggins’ game.
Chorus:
But I’m a wake up, and I’ll break up,
I’m never more going to roam.
For I’ve panned in my dugout, with never a nugget,
I’m packing my things to go home.
Well I’ve hunted
Otago for gold
In the rain and in the cold,
And I’ve held up all winter under the snow
All along the winding Molyneux,
And that’s when you need to have hope.
But I’m a wake up…
In those shanties where
you spend,
Spend away all your hard earned tin,
Nancy’s smiles are so beguiling,
That’s why Nancy’s always smiling.
The landlord says he’s not taking you in.
But I’m a wake up…
7. Bill Case's Dream
Composed (as “My
Dream') by Mt Gambier, SA dance musician Bill Case (Rob Willis
Collection - NLA).
8. Bells and Bullocks
Words: Mary Gilmore. Music: Bob Rummery.
We learned the song from the singing of Bob Rummery.
Ben the Bullocky sits by the fire,
On the long, slow hours adrift;
Bowed is the back that could never tire,
Whatever the hoist or lift.
Ask him stories of the teams,
Only get him talking;
He will waken from his dreams,
On the roads go walking.
There though the body sags to the knees,
His mind is out on the road,
Watching the play of the axle trees,
Marking the swing of the load.
"Bullicks? Ay, I knowed `em then;
No one knowed `em better;
Spelt `em just the same as men,
Letter after letter!"
Once in a while we ask if he hears
The sound of Mennicke's bells,
Deep, in the pits of his ancient ears,
Repeating their olden spells
"Mennicke's bells?" then he'll say,
"Never heard none like `em
Mennicke, he had the way;
No one else could strike `em."
Bred to the yoke old
Bullocky Ben
Bullock-boy, that was his start;
Says with a laugh, remembering men,
“Them were the days they were smart!”
Written in his own queer way
Bullock whip for scriver,
He made history in his day –
Ben the Bullock-driver!
9. The Old Man Kangaroo / Charlie Kyle's
Pretty Jig
The song is from the singing of Simon McDonald
of Cresswick, Victoria (Norm O'Connor Collection - NLA) with minor
lyric changes based on a version collected from Jack “Hoopiron”
Lee of Sydney, NSW (John Meredith Collection - NLA). The tune
is another from Charlie Kyle (Rob Willis Collection - NLA).
Oh myself and my brother Billy
We got bushed in the Mallee scrub;
For three long days and three long nights
We never tasted grub;
And on the third, my blessed word,
When things looked rather blue,
Old Billy spied to his joyful pride
An old man kangaroo.
Now up and at him Billy
went
With a waddy in his hand,
Walked up to the kangaroo
Who defiantly did stand.
He made a blow at his hairy foe,
At Billy then he flew,
And as sure as fate, he grabbed my mate
Did the old man kangaroo.
Oh, he grabbed him tightly
round the waist
And Billy began to roar:
And such a terrible struggle, boys,
I never saw before.
"Oh, blow my eyes," poor Billy cries,
"He'll break my back in two,
Oh, do be quick and get a stick,
And kill this kangaroo."
So sneaking up behind
him,
My tucker bag opened wide:
I slipped it right down over his head,
And then I so surely tied
Around his neck, it seemed to check
His progress, then I drew,
My dover out, and with a shout
I tailed that kangaroo.
Now a kangaroo without
a tail,
Can't harm, you all must know.
So finding his dependence gone,
He let poor Billy go.
He gave a wail for the hairy tail,
The tale I tell you true.
Then he gave a jump and he sank a lump,
To a lifeless kangaroo.
Now my mate he had been
bruised about,
But scarcely hurt was he.
And turning round to me he said,
"Oh boy, we'll have a feed."
Now Billy put the billy on,
And he made a splendid stew,
And the sweetest meat that ever I eat
Was that old man kangaroo.
10. Norm McConnell's Lancers / Charlie Kyle's
Polka
From Norm McConnell
of Laang, Victoria (John Meredith Collection - NLA), and Charlie
Kyle of Nulla Nulla Creek, NSW (Rob Willis Collection - NLA).
We learned Norm McConnell’s Lancers from the Wongawilli
Colonial Dance Club’s publication “Australian traditional
Dance Tunes Vol. 2.
11. The Nightingale
From the singing of Susan Colley of Wattle
Flat / Bathurst, NSW. Alan Scott collected the song from Mrs Colley,
and also composed the last verse (Alan Scott Collection - NLA).
My love he was a rich farmer’s son,
When first my tender heart he won.
When first to me his love prevailed,
‘Twas little he thought of the Nightingale.
But my cruel parents
contrived it so
That to the sea my love should go.
They sent a press gang to prevail,
And pressed my love on the Nightingale.
On the eighteenth day
of November last,
There appeared to me a terrible ghost.
In a sailor suit and a visage pale
Saying “I lost my life on the Nightingale”.
“O, Nancy, Nancy
don’t be surprised,
In the Bay of Biscay my body lies
To become the prey of some shark or whale,
It was my fate on the Nightingale."
Now all young maidens
be warned by me,
Don’t let your love be pressed to sea,
Or else like me you’ll weep and wail,
If he meets a fate like the Nightingale.
12. The Kelly Gang
A well known song set to the tune "The
Cherry Tree" that we learned from Mark Gregory's "Australian
Folk Songs" website: http://folkstream.com/ - Mark credits
Bert Lloyd and his "First Person" record on Topic.
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 farewell.
13. Eighteen Pence / Hilarity
Learned from the singing of Alan Scott on
Alan and Keith McKenry's "Travelling through the Storm"
recording (Fanged Wombat Productions - 1996). This version was
sent by Mr Tony Davis to collector Ron Edwards in 1970. Ron also
arranged the song. "Hilarity" is another tune from the
playing of Bill Case (Rob Willis Collection - NLA).
I took my girl to a ball one night; it was a social hop.
We danced and danced and danced some more ‘till the dancing
had to stop.
And then we went to a restaurant at the corner of the street,
She said she wasn’t hungry but this is what she eat…
A beef steak raw, a lobster claw, some pickles and some toast,
Tomato sauce and asparagus, some corned beef and some roast.
Some Irish stew, pig’s trotters too; her appetite was immense,
When she called for pie I thought I’d die for I had but
eighteen pence.
Well she said she wasn’t
thirsty but she had an awful tank.
After eating all that stuff, this is what she drank…
A whisky sling, a glass of gin; she made me shake with fear,
A ginger pop with a rum on top and a great big jug of beer,
A gin cocktail, a glass of ale; she ought to ‘a had more
sense,
When she called for more I fell on the floor for I had but eighteen
pence.
She said she’d
bring her family round and we’d have lot’s of fun.
I gave the man the eighteen pence and this is what he done…
He broke my nose, he tore my clothes, he hit me on the jaw,
He gave me the prize of a pair of black eyes and with me wiped
the floor,
He caught me where my pants hung loose and fired me over the fence,
Said “Take my advice, don’t try it twice if you have
but eighteen pence!”
“Take my advice, don’t try it twice if you have but
eighteen pence!”
14. Little Fish
Text collected from Paul Lewis of Holloway
Beach, North Queensland, by Ron Edwards in 1973, as printed in
Ron’s publication “Great Australian Folk Songs”,
Ure Smith Press, 1976. The tune is a little different to that
in Ron Edwards” book, and is drawn from our memories.
The crew are asleep and the ocean’s
at rest,
And I’m singing this song for the one I love best.
Chorus
Yo ho, little fishy, don’t cry, don’t cry,
Yo ho, little fishy, don’t cry, don’t cry.
There are fish in the
sea, there’s no doubt about it,
Just as big as the ones that have e’er come out of it.
Little fish when he’s
caught he fights like a whale,
As he thrashes the water with his long narrow tail.
The anchor’s a-weighed
and the weather is fine,
And the captain’s on deck laying out other lines.
The crew are asleep and the ocean’s at rest,
And I’m singing this song to the one I love best.
Bonus Tracks
15. Salvation Jane
Commissioned by ABC Radio Regional Production
Fund. Licensed courtesy of Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
From the “Highwire” CD (2003).
Words and Music: C. & J. Roweth.
Musicians: Chloë Roweth (vocals, mandolin), Jason Roweth
(guitar), Gary Steele (accordion), Liz Frencham (bass, vocals),
Trent Bachelor (percussion).
Purple on the hillside, the year turns
again,
Bringing honey-sweet memories of Salvation Jane.
Taking me over for better or worse,
My wildest of flowers, my Paterson's Curse.
On my side of the mountains a man
can see for miles,
And I looked for a future in the depths of her smiles,
But she was like a season that blew through my heart,
Rolling away from me right from the start.
Now this country it looks different, and
it looks just the same;
In town the roses are blooming again.
And I drive these same roads, two wheels in the dirt,
Safe as I ever was from her kind of hurt.
But do you ever wonder in streets where you walk,
Where artists and poets linger to talk.
Do Jacaranda blossoms ever blur in your eyes,
Turn to hills of wild flowers, and wide evening skies?
Purple on the hillside,
the year turns again,
Bringing honey-sweet memories of Salvation Jane.
Taking me over for better or worse,
My wildest of flowers, my Paterson's Curse.
16. I Don’t Work for a Living
From our album “Sleepers”
(2000).
Collected Australian version based on an original written by James
J Mullan and Edward Leroy Freeman. Lyrics collected from Carrie
Milliner of Eden, NSW, and Ebb Wren of Forbes, NSW (Rob Willis
Collection - NLA), and Don Kinder of Melbourne.
Musicians: Chloë Roweth (vocals, mandolin), Jason Roweth
(guitar, bass), David De Santi (accordion), Alan Musgrove (‘Wayne”
slide guitar).
Chorus
I don’t work for a living I get along alright without
I don’t toil all day, I suppose it’s because I’m
not built that way
Some people work for love and say it’s all sunshine and
gain,
But if I can’t get sunshine without any work I think I’ll
stay out in the rain!
They say we’re all born for a purpose,
they say we’re all born with a gift
Some people like to be famous, I suppose it’s by hard work
and thrift.
There's lots of us fighting and striving, for seat down in the
old A.C.T.
But if I’ve got a seat in my trousers, and a missus to work
for me….
Chorus
Now give me a nail and a hammer, and a
picture to hang on the wall
And give me a strong step ladder, you know that I might fall,
And give me a couple of waiters, and a barrel of good old Bass
Ale
And I bet you I’ll hang up that picture, if somebody drives
the nail.
Last Chorus
I don’t work for a living I get along alright without
I live peacefully, labour disputes never worry me.
I love my family and the missus, oh how I adore.
I decided to make them all happy, that's why I never go home anymore!
17. You Can’t Change It
From our album “Spring
Grove” formerly known
as "Daisy Hill" (2006). Composed by Arthur “Spendlow”
Baulch, and learned from a recording of Arthur’s sons, “The
Baulch Brothers”, made by John Meredith and Rob Willis (John
Meredith Collection - NLA).
Musicians: Chloë Roweth (vocals, mandolin), Jason Roweth
(guitar, vocals, bass).
Oh, I know a lot of lazy men, meet them
when you may,
They've never got a penny, always stony broke they say.
For me it's just the other way, I'm a man of biz,
I've always got a shilling in my pocket - here it is.
Well I can't change it, I can't change it,
The reason why I'll let you know, it's one I made myself and so
I can't change it, I don't intend to try,
But I hope to cheat a blind man in the sweet by and by.
Oh, I never was a proud young man - anyone
can see,
Fashions I don't care about - clothes don't trouble me.
I never was a masher, for I'm satisfied to know,
I've got but one shirt to my back I can say that although.
I can't change it, I can't change it,
I've got but one shirt to my back and it fits me like a bloomin'
sack,
I can't change it, I don't intend to try,
So while it's being washed I lie in bed until it's dry.
Oh, I thought that I'd get married like
a lot of foolish men,
I found the girl and bought the ring, got married there and then.
When the job was over I was taken down a peg,
Her hair and eyes and teeth were false and she had a wooden leg.
Well I can't change it, I can't change it.
It was a great surprise to me – a half a woman and half
a tree!
Well I can't change it, I don't intend to
try,
So I'll chop her up for firewood in the sweet by and by.
Oh when I came home the other night, the
nurse was at the door.
She said "You've got another one, it makes you just a score,
Such a pretty little girl - I hope you'll wish her joy"_
I wished her to old Nick, for what I wanted was a boy.
Well I can't change it, I can't change it.
I asked a lot, who ought to know, I asked the nurse and she said
"no",
She can't change it, she doesn't
intend to try,
But she hopes I'll have a dozen in the sweet by and by.
* NLA - National Library of Australia
Thanks
This CD is dedicated to Vaughan Kyle, with thanks
for sharing his wonderful music and introducing us to his uncle
Charlie’s tunes.
Thanks to Jim McWhinnie for his contagious enthusiasm and skills
on the bodhran.
Thanks to the collectors who have tirelessly recorded our cultural
heritage. A special thanks to Rob Willis for his ongoing help
and for introducing us to inspiring material from his collection.
Thanks to Bob Rummery for sending “Bells and Bullocks”
in through our window.
Thanks to the National Library of Australia for their work in
preserving and publishing collected Australian music.
Special thanks to Roy & Thelma Roweth for allowing us to photograph
Jason’s great-grandfather’s tractor. (Jason’s
dad, Leon, reckoned Pop started using tractors only when feed
for tractors became cheaper than feed for draft horses!)
Thanks also to Andy Busuttil for his generosity, skills and good
advice during recording.
Jim McWhinnie plays his own hand-made bodhrans.
Syn Percussion 02 6332 3164.
Recorded Live in August 2006. Mixed by C. & J. Roweth.
Mastered by Greg Seiler at Blue Mountain Sound.
Phone: (02) 4758 6878 www.bluemountainsound.com.au
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