G'day ...

I still don't have that break working (it was not in the HTML guide I looked up).

I will try once more.

Regard(les)s,

Bob Bolton

THE STREETS OF FORBES
(Said to be written by Ben Hall's brother-in-law, John McGuire on seeing the body paraded by the police troopers.)

Come all you Lachlan men, and a sorrowful tale I'll tell
Concerning of a hero bold who through misfortune fell.
His name it was Ben Hall, a man of good renown
Who was hunted from his station, and like a dog shot down.

Three years he roamed the roads, and he showed the traps some fun;
A thousand pound was on his head, with Gilbert and John Dunn.
Ben parted from his comrades, the outlaws did agree
To give away bushranging and to cross the briny sea.

Ben went to Goobang Creek, and that was his downfall;
For riddled like a sieve, was valiant Ben Hall.
'Twas early in the morning upon the fifth of May
When the seven police surrounded him as fast asleep he lay.

Bill Dargin he was chosen to shoot the outlaw dead;
The troopers then fired madly, and filled him full of lead.
They rolled him in his blanket, and strapped it to his prad,
And led him through the streets of Forbes, to show that he was dead.

Glossary: Lachlan: River, valley, area of New South Wales in which Hall operated.
Station: Homestead, property, (ranch)
Traps: Police troopers Goobang Creek: Creek in the area where Hall was shot, but probably a mistake in the words as Hall was betrayed by Goobang Mick, an acquaintance - whereas Goobang Creek is well away from the camp site where Hall was killed.

Bill Dargin: A black tracker - aboriginal employed as a native trooper. The police thought it safest to sent the native in to shoot the first shots ... just in case Hall was awake and armed.
Prad: Horse (a corruption of a Dutch word, paard).

This song was collected by John Manifold from Mrs Ewell from Bathurst, NSW. Source: The Penguin Australian Songbook, Penguin Books, Ringwood, Victoria, 1964, Compiled by J. S. Manifold.