We watched the relatively recent Ned Kelly movie last night, and as usual, the actors were fabulous (Heath Ledger, Orlando Bloom, Joel Egerton) but they couldn't save it. And Naomi Watts should have refused that travesty of a role - as if this story needed a tawdry little love interest inserted into it. But I digress.
The exciting thing about watching Ned Kelly last night was the gorgeous little three piece Irish band playing a beautiful version of Moreton Bay. God that's a brilliant song. And it is very likely that Ned's Jerrilderee Letter was influenced by the lyrics of Moreton Bay.
So here it is:
"
Moreton Bay" or "
Banished from my native shore."
One Sunday morning, as I was walking, down Brisbane waters I chanced to stray,
I heard a prisoner his fate bewailing as on the river banks he lay.
I am a native of Erin's island, and banished now from my native shore,
They tore me from my aged parents and from the maiden whom I do adore.
I've been a prisoner at Port Macquarie, at Norfolk Island and Emu Plains,
At Castle Hill, and at cursed Toongabbie; at all those settlements I've worked in chains.
But of all the places of condemnation and penal stations of New South Wales,
To Moreton Bay, I have found no equal, there excessive tyranny each day prevails.
For three long years I was beastly treated, and heavy irons on my legs I wore,
My back with flogging, is lacerated, and often tainted with my crimsom gore.
And many a man from downright starvation, lies mouldering now underneath the clay,
And Captain Logan, he had us mangled at the triangles of Moreton Bay.
Like the Egyptians and ancient Hebrews we were oppressed under Logan's yoke,
'till a native black, lying there in ambush, did give our tyrant, his mortal stroke.
My fellow prisoners be exhilerated, that all such monsters such a death might find,
And when from bondage we are liberated, our former suffering shall fade from mind.
