The Grave of Joe Governor
Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 12:30 pm
JOE GOVERNOR
BUSHRANGER
SHOT 31 OCTOBER 1900
ERECTED BY
SINGLETON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
THE GRAVE OF JOE GOVERNOR
Outside the cemetery fence
Joe Governor is laid to rest.
Towards the east is seen the shape
of old Mount Royal. To the west,
the Bulga hills that bring to mind
the rugged country where the fear
of Joe and Jimmy; Breelong blacks,
took hold of country folk that year.
It's blood for words and life for shame
the men of blood wil bear the blame.
Joe's brother, Jimmy tried to earn
respect by working hard and fair
but scornful looks and spiteful talk
would cause a deadly rage to flare.
At Breelong on that fateful day,
Jack Underwood, Joe Governor
with Jimmy Governor, would wield
the axe as executioner.
It's wound for looks and pain for pride;
to pay the price, nine people died.
Jack Underwood was captured first,
while Joe and Jimmy ranged at will.
The hunt for outlaw men went on
for months, from place to place until
the people cheered to hear the news
that Breelong blacks had all been found.
To Dubbo Gaol and Darlinghurst
went two; but one lay on the ground.
It's Jack and Jimmy, hanged till dead,
for Joe a bullet through the head.
The wind is blowing cold today
across the dried out winter grass.
Where Jimmy's brother, Joe is laid
more than a hundred years have passed.
The grey and mossy gothic stones
that mark those graves on hallowed ground,
all look away in stern distain;
outside the gate, a bad man's found.
It's blood for blood and life for life
for white mans' child and white man's wife.
Neville Briggs
Singleton Bush Poets
31 October, 2010.
BUSHRANGER
SHOT 31 OCTOBER 1900
ERECTED BY
SINGLETON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
THE GRAVE OF JOE GOVERNOR
Outside the cemetery fence
Joe Governor is laid to rest.
Towards the east is seen the shape
of old Mount Royal. To the west,
the Bulga hills that bring to mind
the rugged country where the fear
of Joe and Jimmy; Breelong blacks,
took hold of country folk that year.
It's blood for words and life for shame
the men of blood wil bear the blame.
Joe's brother, Jimmy tried to earn
respect by working hard and fair
but scornful looks and spiteful talk
would cause a deadly rage to flare.
At Breelong on that fateful day,
Jack Underwood, Joe Governor
with Jimmy Governor, would wield
the axe as executioner.
It's wound for looks and pain for pride;
to pay the price, nine people died.
Jack Underwood was captured first,
while Joe and Jimmy ranged at will.
The hunt for outlaw men went on
for months, from place to place until
the people cheered to hear the news
that Breelong blacks had all been found.
To Dubbo Gaol and Darlinghurst
went two; but one lay on the ground.
It's Jack and Jimmy, hanged till dead,
for Joe a bullet through the head.
The wind is blowing cold today
across the dried out winter grass.
Where Jimmy's brother, Joe is laid
more than a hundred years have passed.
The grey and mossy gothic stones
that mark those graves on hallowed ground,
all look away in stern distain;
outside the gate, a bad man's found.
It's blood for blood and life for life
for white mans' child and white man's wife.
Neville Briggs
Singleton Bush Poets
31 October, 2010.