acoustic
new
folk
celtic
traditional
irish
slow
mandolin
bouzouki
schumacher
ullhean pipes
Story behind the song
An adaptation of the famous Irish poem about the highway man Jack Donnaghue, told through the lens of the father.
Lyrics
There was a Wild Colonial Boy,
Pat Dooggan (*) was his name.
He was born and raised in Ireland,
in a place called Castlemain.
He was his father's only son,
his mother's pride and joy.
And dearly did his parents love,
their Wild Colonial Boy.
At the early age of eighteen years,
he left his native home.
And to Australia's sunny shore,
he was inclined to roam.
He robbed the rich,
to help the poor, he shot Judge McEvoy
A sheer, right, fucken menace he was,
my Wild Colonial Boy.
One morning on the prairie,
as Pat he rode along.
A listening to the mocking bird,
singing a cheerful song.
Up rode three mounted troopers,
Kelly, Davis and Fitzroy.
They all set out to capture him,
my Wild Colonial Boy.
Surrender now, Pat Dooggan,
for you see we're three to one,
Surrender in the Queen's high name,
for your roaming days are done.
Jack drew two pistols from his belt,
and spun them like a toy.
"I'll fight but ne'er surrender, "
cried my Wild Colonial Boy.
He fired at trooper Kelly,
which brought him to the ground.
And turning round to Davis,
he received a mortal wound.
A bullet pierced his proud young heart,
still firing at Fitzroy.
And that the way they captured him,
my Wild Colonial Boy.