SUCH IS LIFE - The Kelly Gang
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:16 pm
SUCH IS LIFE
‘Mind you die like a Kelly son – don’t hang your head in shame.’
Harsh words torn from a mothers lips – she’d never know his fame.
Both prisoners in Melbourne Gaol, these words at him she flung,
this eleventh day, eleventh month, before her Ned was hung.
Seven thousand folk had gathered , thirty two thousand had signed
a petition for young Neds release. Authorities were blind
to their pleas. The execution set for this November day.
‘Mind you die like a Kelly son’ Ellen was heard to say.
Ellen lived to be ninety two, out back on her selection
She outlived seven children – no doubt cause for reflection.
Her final years were spent in peace – her fighting days were done
but down the ages echoing – ‘die like a Kelly son.’
And through the long annals of time a legend has been born.
A man, a criminal no doubt, a child of devils spawn.
A bloke who stood against the odds – defied authority;
and died proud - like a Kelly – unbowed by society.
From Echuca on the Murray and many places in between
to her final days at Eleven Mile Creek, Ellen Kelly was seen.
The little town of Greta ‘neath Mount Molly Morgan’s slopes
was the place she died and found her rest – abandoning her hopes.
And written in the pages of Australian history
are the stories of the Kelly gang – and of their killing spree
but one cannot help but ponder over certain circumstances
that kicked in when fate began to dance with chance and tight finances.
For no doubt constraints of ready cash and opportunity
had a lot to do with how this story came about you see.
Given half a chance, a fair shake and a bit of plain good luck,
would they have been respectable and not have run amuck?
But history is what it is – from such are legends born
In the annals of Australia these truths are solemnly sworn.
That the last words of Ned’s Mother – to a young man doomed but brave
were - ‘mind you die like a Kelly son’. Words he took to his grave.
‘Such is life’ are reported to be the last words spoken by Ned Kelly
Maureen Clifford © 02/11
‘Mind you die like a Kelly son – don’t hang your head in shame.’
Harsh words torn from a mothers lips – she’d never know his fame.
Both prisoners in Melbourne Gaol, these words at him she flung,
this eleventh day, eleventh month, before her Ned was hung.
Seven thousand folk had gathered , thirty two thousand had signed
a petition for young Neds release. Authorities were blind
to their pleas. The execution set for this November day.
‘Mind you die like a Kelly son’ Ellen was heard to say.
Ellen lived to be ninety two, out back on her selection
She outlived seven children – no doubt cause for reflection.
Her final years were spent in peace – her fighting days were done
but down the ages echoing – ‘die like a Kelly son.’
And through the long annals of time a legend has been born.
A man, a criminal no doubt, a child of devils spawn.
A bloke who stood against the odds – defied authority;
and died proud - like a Kelly – unbowed by society.
From Echuca on the Murray and many places in between
to her final days at Eleven Mile Creek, Ellen Kelly was seen.
The little town of Greta ‘neath Mount Molly Morgan’s slopes
was the place she died and found her rest – abandoning her hopes.
And written in the pages of Australian history
are the stories of the Kelly gang – and of their killing spree
but one cannot help but ponder over certain circumstances
that kicked in when fate began to dance with chance and tight finances.
For no doubt constraints of ready cash and opportunity
had a lot to do with how this story came about you see.
Given half a chance, a fair shake and a bit of plain good luck,
would they have been respectable and not have run amuck?
But history is what it is – from such are legends born
In the annals of Australia these truths are solemnly sworn.
That the last words of Ned’s Mother – to a young man doomed but brave
were - ‘mind you die like a Kelly son’. Words he took to his grave.
‘Such is life’ are reported to be the last words spoken by Ned Kelly
Maureen Clifford © 02/11