Come, all my hearties,
we'll roam the mountains high,
Together we will plunder,
together we will ride.
We'll scar over valleys,
and gallop for the plains,
And scorn to live in
slavery, bound down by iron chains.
It's of a wild Colonial Boy,
Jack Doolan was his name,
Of poor but honest parents,
he was born in Castlemaine.
He was his father's only son,
his mother's pride and joy,
And so dearly did his parents love
the wild Colonial Boy.
When scarcley sixteen years of age
he left his father's home,
And through Australia's sunny shores
a bushranger did roam.
He'd rob the largest squatters,
their stock he would destroy,
a terror to Australia was
the wild Colonial Boy.
In sixty-one this daring youth
commenced his wild career,
With a heart that knew no danger,
no stranger would did he fear.
He bailed up the Beechworth roll mail-coach,
and robbed Judge MacEvoy,
Who trembled and gave up his gold to
the wild Colonial Boy.
He bade the judge "Good morning",
and told him to beware,
That he'd never rob a poor man
who wafted on the square,
Three mounted troopers came in sight
Kelly, Davis and Fitzroy,
who thought that they would capture him,
the wild Colonial Boy.
"Surrender now, Jack Doolan,
you see were three to one".
Surrender in the queens name
you daring highwayman,"
Jack drew two pistols from his belt,
and waved them proud and free
"I'll fight, but not surrender,"
cried the wild Colonial Boy.
He fired at Trooper Kelly
and brought him to the ground,
And in return from Davis
received a mortal wound.
All shattered through the jaws he lay
still firing at Fitzroy,
And that's the way they captured him-
the wild Colonial Boy.
we'll roam the mountains high,
Together we will plunder,
together we will ride.
We'll scar over valleys,
and gallop for the plains,
And scorn to live in
slavery, bound down by iron chains.
It's of a wild Colonial Boy,
Jack Doolan was his name,
Of poor but honest parents,
he was born in Castlemaine.
He was his father's only son,
his mother's pride and joy,
And so dearly did his parents love
the wild Colonial Boy.
When scarcley sixteen years of age
he left his father's home,
And through Australia's sunny shores
a bushranger did roam.
He'd rob the largest squatters,
their stock he would destroy,
a terror to Australia was
the wild Colonial Boy.
In sixty-one this daring youth
commenced his wild career,
With a heart that knew no danger,
no stranger would did he fear.
He bailed up the Beechworth roll mail-coach,
and robbed Judge MacEvoy,
Who trembled and gave up his gold to
the wild Colonial Boy.
He bade the judge "Good morning",
and told him to beware,
That he'd never rob a poor man
who wafted on the square,
Three mounted troopers came in sight
Kelly, Davis and Fitzroy,
who thought that they would capture him,
the wild Colonial Boy.
"Surrender now, Jack Doolan,
you see were three to one".
Surrender in the queens name
you daring highwayman,"
Jack drew two pistols from his belt,
and waved them proud and free
"I'll fight, but not surrender,"
cried the wild Colonial Boy.
He fired at Trooper Kelly
and brought him to the ground,
And in return from Davis
received a mortal wound.
All shattered through the jaws he lay
still firing at Fitzroy,
And that's the way they captured him-
the wild Colonial Boy.
Contributed by Bartleby - 2010/11/2 - 15:08
Language: English
Versione irlandese da en.wikipedia.
THE WILD COLONIAL BOY
There was a wild colonial boy,
Jack Duggan was his name
He was born and raised in Ireland,
in a place called Castlemaine
He was his father's only son,
his mother's pride and joy
And dearly did his parents love
the wild colonial boy
At the early age of sixteen years,
he left his native home
And to Australia's sunny shore,
he was inclined to roam
He robbed the rich, he helped the poor,
he shot James MacEvoy
A terror to Australia was
the wild colonial boy
One morning on the prairie,
as Jack he rode along
A-listening to the mocking bird,
a-singing a cheerful song
Up stepped a band of troopers:
Kelly, Davis and Fitzroy
They all set out to capture him,
the wild colonial boy
Surrender now, Jack Duggan,
for you see we're three to one
Surrender in the Queen's high name,
you are a plundering son
Jack drew two pistols from his belt,
he proudly waved them high
I'll fight, but not surrender,
said the wild colonial boy
He fired a shot at Kelly,
which brought him to the ground
And turning round to Davis,
he received a fatal wound
A bullet pierced his proud young heart,
from the pistol of Fitzroy
And that was how they captured him,
the wild colonial boy
There was a wild colonial boy,
Jack Duggan was his name
He was born and raised in Ireland,
in a place called Castlemaine
He was his father's only son,
his mother's pride and joy
And dearly did his parents love
the wild colonial boy
At the early age of sixteen years,
he left his native home
And to Australia's sunny shore,
he was inclined to roam
He robbed the rich, he helped the poor,
he shot James MacEvoy
A terror to Australia was
the wild colonial boy
One morning on the prairie,
as Jack he rode along
A-listening to the mocking bird,
a-singing a cheerful song
Up stepped a band of troopers:
Kelly, Davis and Fitzroy
They all set out to capture him,
the wild colonial boy
Surrender now, Jack Duggan,
for you see we're three to one
Surrender in the Queen's high name,
you are a plundering son
Jack drew two pistols from his belt,
he proudly waved them high
I'll fight, but not surrender,
said the wild colonial boy
He fired a shot at Kelly,
which brought him to the ground
And turning round to Davis,
he received a fatal wound
A bullet pierced his proud young heart,
from the pistol of Fitzroy
And that was how they captured him,
the wild colonial boy
Contributed by Bartleby - 2010/11/2 - 15:09
Language: English
BOLD JACK DONOHUE
Versione raccolta ad opera di Alan Scott da Mr H. Beatty di Hawthorne Qld.
Testo trovato su Australian Folk Songs
Versione raccolta ad opera di Alan Scott da Mr H. Beatty di Hawthorne Qld.
Testo trovato su Australian Folk Songs
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 wild colonial boy I was forced to cross the main
And for seven long years in New South Wales to wear a convict's chain
Oh I'd been no longer than six months upon Australian shores
When I turned out as a Tory boy as I'd often done before
There was Macnamara from yonder woods and Captain Mackie too
They were the chief associates of bold Jack Donahoe
As O'Donahoe was taken for a notorious crime
And sentenced to be hanged all on the gallows 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 hero boy called brave 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
Resign to you, you cowardly dogs its a thing I ne'er will do
For I'll range these woods and valleys like a wolf or kangaroo
Before I'll work for Government said bold Jack Donahoe
Nine rounds the horse policeman fired till at length a fatal ball
He lodged it in O'Donahoe's breast and it caused him to fall
As he closed his mournful eyes to this world he bid adieu
Good people all both great and small pray for Jack Donahoe
My parents reared me tenderly there's many did the same
Being a wild colonial boy I was forced to cross the main
And for seven long years in New South Wales to wear a convict's chain
Oh I'd been no longer than six months upon Australian shores
When I turned out as a Tory boy as I'd often done before
There was Macnamara from yonder woods and Captain Mackie too
They were the chief associates of bold Jack Donahoe
As O'Donahoe was taken for a notorious crime
And sentenced to be hanged all on the gallows 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 hero boy called brave 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
Resign to you, you cowardly dogs its a thing I ne'er will do
For I'll range these woods and valleys like a wolf or kangaroo
Before I'll work for Government said bold Jack Donahoe
Nine rounds the horse policeman fired till at length a fatal ball
He lodged it in O'Donahoe's breast and it caused him to fall
As he closed his mournful eyes to this world he bid adieu
Good people all both great and small pray for Jack Donahoe
Contributed by Bartleby - 2010/11/2 - 15:10
Language: English
Versione di A.L. Lloyd risalente agli anni 50.
Testo trovato su English Folk Music
Testo trovato su English Folk Music
BOLD JACK DONOHUE
Come all you gallant bushrangers that gallop on the plain,
That's going to live in slavery, or wear the convict chain.
Attention pay to what I say, and value it if you do,
I will relate the matchless fate of Bold Jack Donahue.
Bold Donahue was taken all for a notorious crime
And sentenced to be hanged upon the gallows tree so high.
But when they brought him to Bathurst Gaol, he left them in a stew,
For when they came to call the roll, they missed Jack Donahue.
When Donahue made his escape, to the bush he went straight way.
The squatters they were all afraid to travel by night and day
And every day in the newspapers, they brought out something new,
Concerning that bold bushranger they called Jack Donahue.
As he and his companions rode out one afternoon,
Not thinking that the pains of death would overtake him soon,
To their surprise the horse police well on they came in view
And in double quick time they did advance to take Jack Donahue.
“Oh Donahue, Donahue, throw down your carabine.
Or do you intend to fight us all and will you not resign?”
“To surrender to such cowardly dogs is a thing I never would do,
This day I'll fight with all me might”, says Bold Jack Donahue.
“It never shall be said of me that Donahue the brave
Surrendered to a policeman or became an Englishman's slave.
I'd rather roam the bush so wide like a dingo or kangaroo
Than work one day for the government,” says Bold Jack Donahue.
The sergeant and the corporal, they did their men 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 he fired and nine men shot before that fatal ball
That pierced his heart and made him smart and caused him for to fall.
And as he closed his mournful eyes, he bid the world adieu,
Saying, “Convicts all, pray for the soul of Bold Jack Donahue.”
Come all you gallant bushrangers that gallop on the plain,
That's going to live in slavery, or wear the convict chain.
Attention pay to what I say, and value it if you do,
I will relate the matchless fate of Bold Jack Donahue.
Bold Donahue was taken all for a notorious crime
And sentenced to be hanged upon the gallows tree so high.
But when they brought him to Bathurst Gaol, he left them in a stew,
For when they came to call the roll, they missed Jack Donahue.
When Donahue made his escape, to the bush he went straight way.
The squatters they were all afraid to travel by night and day
And every day in the newspapers, they brought out something new,
Concerning that bold bushranger they called Jack Donahue.
As he and his companions rode out one afternoon,
Not thinking that the pains of death would overtake him soon,
To their surprise the horse police well on they came in view
And in double quick time they did advance to take Jack Donahue.
“Oh Donahue, Donahue, throw down your carabine.
Or do you intend to fight us all and will you not resign?”
“To surrender to such cowardly dogs is a thing I never would do,
This day I'll fight with all me might”, says Bold Jack Donahue.
“It never shall be said of me that Donahue the brave
Surrendered to a policeman or became an Englishman's slave.
I'd rather roam the bush so wide like a dingo or kangaroo
Than work one day for the government,” says Bold Jack Donahue.
The sergeant and the corporal, they did their men 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 he fired and nine men shot before that fatal ball
That pierced his heart and made him smart and caused him for to fall.
And as he closed his mournful eyes, he bid the world adieu,
Saying, “Convicts all, pray for the soul of Bold Jack Donahue.”
Contributed by Bartleby - 2010/11/2 - 15:11
Language: English
Versione di Trevor Lucas dall’album “Overlander” del 1966.
Testo trovato su English Folk Music
Testo trovato su English Folk Music
BOLD JACK DONOHUE
Come all you gallant bushrangers who gallop on the plains,
Refuse to live in slavery, or wear the convict chains.
Oh, attention pay to what I say, and value it if you do,
For I will relate the matchless tale of Bold Jack Donahue.
Now Donahue was taken all for a notorious crime
And sentenced to be hanged upon the gallows tree so high.
But when they took him to Bathurst Gaol, he left them in a stew,
For when they came to call the roll, they missed Jack Donahue.
Now when Donahue made his escape, to the bush he went straight way.
The squatters they were all afraid to travel by night and by day
And every day in the newspapers, they brought out something new,
Concerning that bold bushranger that they called Jack Donahue.
One day as he was riding the mountainside alone,
A-listening to the cockaburra as happy laughing scorn,
When all he spied the horse police well on came up into view
And in double quick time they did advance to take Jack Donahue.
“Oh Donahue, oh Donahue, throw down your carabines.
Or do you intend to fight us all and will you not resign?”
“To surrender to such cowardly dogs is a thing that I never would do,
For this day I'll fight with all of me might”, cried Bold Jack Donahue.
Well, the sergeant and the corporal, their men they did divide,
Some fired at him from behind and some from every side.
Come all you gallant bushrangers who gallop on the plains,
Refuse to live in slavery, or wear the convict chains.
Oh, attention pay to what I say, and value it if you do,
For I will relate the matchless tale of Bold Jack Donahue.
Now Donahue was taken all for a notorious crime
And sentenced to be hanged upon the gallows tree so high.
But when they took him to Bathurst Gaol, he left them in a stew,
For when they came to call the roll, they missed Jack Donahue.
Now when Donahue made his escape, to the bush he went straight way.
The squatters they were all afraid to travel by night and by day
And every day in the newspapers, they brought out something new,
Concerning that bold bushranger that they called Jack Donahue.
One day as he was riding the mountainside alone,
A-listening to the cockaburra as happy laughing scorn,
When all he spied the horse police well on came up into view
And in double quick time they did advance to take Jack Donahue.
“Oh Donahue, oh Donahue, throw down your carabines.
Or do you intend to fight us all and will you not resign?”
“To surrender to such cowardly dogs is a thing that I never would do,
For this day I'll fight with all of me might”, cried Bold Jack Donahue.
Well, the sergeant and the corporal, their men they did divide,
Some fired at him from behind and some from every side.
Contributed by Bartleby - 2010/11/2 - 15:12
Language: English
BOLD JACK DONOHUE
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.
Now Donahue was taken all for a notorious crime
And sentenced to be hanged upon the gallows tree so high.
But when they took him to Bathurst Gaol, he left them in a stew,
For when they came to call the roll, they missed Jack Donahue.
Now when Donahue made his escape, to the bush he went straight way.
The squatters they were all afraid to travel by night and by day
And every day in the newspapers, they brought out something new,
Concerning that bold bushranger that they called Jack Donahue.
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?”
“To surrender to such cowardly dogs is a thing that I never would do,
For this day I'll fight with all of me might”, cried Bold Jack Donahue.
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.
Now nine rounds he fired and nine men down before that fatal ball
That pierced his heart and made him smart and caused him for to fall.
And as he closed his mournful eyes, he bid the world adieu,
Saying, “Convicts all, pray for the soul 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.
Now Donahue was taken all for a notorious crime
And sentenced to be hanged upon the gallows tree so high.
But when they took him to Bathurst Gaol, he left them in a stew,
For when they came to call the roll, they missed Jack Donahue.
Now when Donahue made his escape, to the bush he went straight way.
The squatters they were all afraid to travel by night and by day
And every day in the newspapers, they brought out something new,
Concerning that bold bushranger that they called Jack Donahue.
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?”
“To surrender to such cowardly dogs is a thing that I never would do,
For this day I'll fight with all of me might”, cried Bold Jack Donahue.
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.
Now nine rounds he fired and nine men down before that fatal ball
That pierced his heart and made him smart and caused him for to fall.
And as he closed his mournful eyes, he bid the world adieu,
Saying, “Convicts all, pray for the soul of Bold Jack Donahue.”
Contributed by Bartleby - 2010/11/2 - 15:14
×
![]()
Note for non-Italian users: Sorry, though the interface of this website is translated into English, most commentaries and biographies are in Italian and/or in other languages like French, German, Spanish, Russian etc.
Dalla colonna sonora originale di “Ned Kelly, film del 1970 per la regia di Tony Richardson.
Testo trovato su en.wikipedia
Ma una canzone cantata da Ned Kelly non poteva che riferirsi a qualcun altro che lo aveva preceduto e anche superato nelle gesta, qualcuno che verso la fine del 1800, quando la banda dei Kelly operava, era già diventato leggenda. E infatti, a seconda delle versioni, (le più note sono l’australiana – quella cantata da Jagger - e l’irlandese) differente è il nome dell’eroe, Jack o John o James, Dowling o Doolan o Duggan. Dalle accurate ricerche condotte da Allen Mawer, storico della colonizzazione dell’Australia, è saltata fuori recentemente la vera identità del protagonista di questo testo, tal James Doolan, che nel 1869, appena dodicenne, accoltellò un tizio e fu sbattuto in riformatorio; lì ebbe la sua “scuola di vita” e a quindici anni divenne un banditucolo che si fece beccare subito e condannare a 13 anni di lavori forzati…
Forse troppo poco per avere l’onore di una delle più famose ballate popolari australiane, ma la storia non è finita…
Il James Doolan, prima teppistello e poi delinquente tutto sommato sfigato vissuto nella seconda metà dell’800, altri non sarebbe che l’alias di Jack Donahue, prigioniero politico irlandese, spedito alla catena perpetua nel New South Wales, evaso, divenuto un famoso bushranger e abbattuto dalla polizia nel 1830, all’età di 26 anni, questo sì ribelle e bandito di sicuro spessore! Tanto celebre che cantare le sue gesta fu vietato, divieto ovviamente aggirato nel tempo sostituendo di volta in volta il nome del protagonista, fittizio o reale che poi fosse, e sovrapponendo storie e dettagli di vicende successive.
Jack Donahue era un acceso nazionalista irlandese. Confinato ai lavori forzati perpetui in Australia, si diede subito alla macchia. Catturato e rievaso più volte, fondò la gang denominata “The Strippers”, perché lasciavano letteralmente in mutande le loro vittime, sempre “squatters” e “settlers”, i proprietari terrieri che Donahue odiava perché è nelle loro fattorie, nelle loro porcilaie che avrebbero voluto ridurlo in schiavitù, lui, figlio della verde e libera Irlanda. Ad aiutarlo erano spesso i servi delle proprietà che gli fornivano informazioni, cibo e rifugio
Il 1 settembre 1830 la banda cadde in un’imboscata della polizia e Jack fu mortalemente ferito.
Inutile dire che in sua celebrazione fiorirono immediatamente diversi resoconti popolari – il più famoso dei quali è certamente la canzone intitolata “Bold Jack Donahue” – che, secondo il parere di storici e studiosi del folklore, servirono da base per lo sviluppo di diverse ballate successive – come questa nostra “The Wild Colonial Boy” - adattate a circostanze e personaggi via via nuovi, ma accomunate dal carattere ribelle, indomito e coraggioso del protagonista, che ruba ai ricchi per dare ai poveri, che rifiuta schiavitù e catene, che non si arrende (agli inglesi) nemmeno di fronte all’evidente disfatta…