G'day anonymous orangeman and Mick Lowe,

I reckon that there are "hat" models for this song, as well as sash versions. In John Meredith's collected material from the 1950s (mostly NSW and eastern states of Australia) there is a "The Hat McGinnis Wore" and, from the same informant, "The Hat Ned Kelly Wore". This is a definite case of an Irish original being remembered along with the Australian reworking to suit new names, new events.

Ned Kelly was, of course, our best know bushranger and there are a lot of songs about him. Many come from the period in which he operated (latter part of the 1870s) and many more because Aussies like to adopt Kelly as a symbol of rebellion and sheer larrikinism. He may be a little closer related in my case - family history suggests my first cousin, four times removed (my great, great, great granmother's sister appears to be his mother!)

I will get the lyrics for these 2 songs and post them (unless I find them already in the DT).

Regards,

Bob Bolton