The lyrics to the Wild Colonial Boy originated in Australia and were set to an old Irish tune. They vary in the different versions to be found across the world, but they all contain the same basic story of the outlaw who helped the poor and terrorised the rich in the early days of colonial Australia.
The song tells the story of the outlaw Jack Duggan, who was transported to Australia from Castlemaine in Ireland. The chords are presented here in the key of C Major. Use our chord converter to play the song in other keys.
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At the early age of sixteen years, Jack left his native home,
And to Australia’s sunny shores, he was inclined to roam,
He robbed the rich to help the poor, he robbed Judge McEvoy
A terror to Australia was, the wild colonial boy.
For two long years this daring youth ran on his wild career
With a heart that knew no danger and a soul that knew no fear
He held the Beechwood coach up and he robbed Judge McEvoy
Who trembling, giving up his gold to the Wild Colonial Boy
Jack bid the judge Good Morning and told him to beware
For he never robbed an honest man who acted on the square
“Yet you would rob a mother of her son and only joy
And breed a race of outlaws like the Wild Colonial Boy
One morning on the prairie, as Jack he rode along,
While listening to the mocking birds, and singing a cheerful song,
Up jumped three troopers fierce and grim, 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 Queens own name, for you are a plundering son,
Jack drew two pistols from his belt, and glared upon Fitzroy
I’ll fight but not surrender cried the wild colonial boy.
He fired a shot at Kelly and brought him to the ground,
He fired a shot at Davis too, who fell dead upon the sound,
But a bullet pierced his proud young heart, from the pistol of Fitzroy
And that is how they captured him, the Wild Colonial Boy.
Wild Colonial Boy
Wild Colonial Boy videos
Wild Colonial Boy lyrics and chords
Wild Colonial Boy lyrics and chords print version
At the early age of sixteen years, Jack left his native home,
And to Australia’s sunny shores, he was inclined to roam,
He robbed the rich to help the poor, he robbed Judge McEvoy
A terror to Australia was, the wild colonial boy.
For two long years this daring youth ran on his wild career
With a heart that knew no danger and a soul that knew no fear
He held the Beechwood coach up and he robbed Judge McEvoy
Who trembling, giving up his gold to the Wild Colonial Boy
Jack bid the judge Good Morning and told him to beware
For he never robbed an honest man who acted on the square
“Yet you would rob a mother of her son and only joy
And breed a race of outlaws like the Wild Colonial Boy
One morning on the prairie, as Jack he rode along,
While listening to the mocking birds, and singing a cheerful song,
Up jumped three troopers fierce and grim, 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 Queens own name, for you are a plundering son,
Jack drew two pistols from his belt, and glared upon Fitzroy
I’ll fight but not surrender cried the wild colonial boy.
He fired a shot at Kelly and brought him to the ground,
He fired a shot at Davis too, who fell dead upon the sound,
But a bullet pierced his proud young heart, from the pistol of Fitzroy
And that is how they captured him, the Wild Colonial Boy.
Wild Colonial Boy
Wild Colonial Boy videos
Wild Colonial Boy lyrics and chords
