The Ballad Of Ned Kelly Lyrics - Sandy Denny

Eighteen hundred and eighty five 

Is a year I remember so well 

When they drove old brad into an early grave 

And sent my mother to jail 

Now I don't know what's right or wrong 

But they hung christ on nails 

But with six kids at home and two still on her breast 

They wouldn't even give her bail 

Chorus 

Oh ned, you're better off dead 

You get no peace of mind 

A track's a trail 

And they're hot on your tail 

Before they're gonna hang you high 

I did write a letter 

And I sealed it with my hand 

Tried to tell about stringy bog creek 

And tried to make them understand 

Oh, that I didn't wanna kill kennedy 

Or cause his blood to run 

Well he alone could have saved his life 

By throwing down his gun 

Chorus 

Well I'd rather die like donahue 

That bush-ranger so brave 

Than be taken by the government 

And forced to walk in chains 

Well I'd rather fight with all my might 

While I have eyes to see 

Well I'd rather die ten thousand times 

Than hang from a gallow's tree.