A program exploring the highwayman tradition in Australia.

Cyril Duncan

Cyril Duncan was recorded in 1973 (see his full story and repertoire on this site: Collected Folklore/Oral History on menu bar.)

My Name Is Edward Kelly - An extraordinary ballad sung by Cyril in the first person. Cyril learnt this from his bullock-driver father.
Up The Kelly's - An emotionally-charged anti police ditty recalled by Cyril after some 25 years.

Jack Pobar

Jack Pobar was recorded in Toowoomba (see full story and repertoire on this site: Collected Folklore/Oral History on menu bar)
Talks about meeting Dan Kelly, describes Kelly and recalls the burns on man's torso. Mentions McLeay's Wax Museum. Jack was an old time Australian, born at the end of the 19th century, lived at a time when what he recalls could possibly be true however, being oral history, it might be the result of hearsay and Jack's enthusiasm for the old stories. This is quite common in folklore. The fact remains his stories are a fascinating insight into Australia's curious history.

Wild Colonial Boy

Joe Watson

Joe Watson was recorded in 1974/5/6 at Caringbah, NSW. He was an original 'picture show man'.
Talks about early days of the Kelly Family including Jim Kelly and Tom Lloyd and then how Joe Burns and Steve Hart joined the gang.

The Ballad of the Kelly Gang
Talks about police (Lonnigan and Kennedy) at Mansfield.