There’s a long tradition of folk songs about our notorious bushrangers, and it certainly seems that isn’t changing any time soon. Queensland artist, and writer Rodd Sherwin has thrown his hat into the ring with a ballad about Daniel Morgan. The piece began life many years ago as lyrics for a song based on the story of Morgan, but as it developed the desire for it to be put to music grew ever more irresistible.
Sherwin’s friend, musician Jeremy Williams, has taken the words and crafted them into a song that has now been recorded. It will be available to hear across a range of platforms including YouTube and Spotify from 07/05/2022.
To learn more about Rodd, you can visit his website here.
To learn more about Jeremy Williams you can visit his website here and SoundCloud here.
To stream the song you can find links here, and you can watch it on YouTube here.
Mad Dog Morgan
Born to one, George Fuller
A ‘Bastard’ of a child
Perhaps that was the portent
For a life spent running wild.
Arrested at an early age
For larceny and livestock theft
The Judge then duly sent him down
To the prison hulk ‘Success’
Released as a ‘Ticket Man’
He finally came back
And very soon was known as
Young ‘Down the River Jack’.
While adopting this persona
He maintained his life of crime
‘Till Squatter Evans wounded him
Disappearing down the line.
By the new name, Daniel Morgan
The bushranger ventured out
A manic highway raider now
With all his sanity in doubt.
He committed violent outrage
Convinced he was to blame
The folk around all labelled him
‘Mad Dog’ – such was his fame.
His rugged hirsute features
The sharp eyes and long hooked nose
Did little to alleviate
His hapless victim’s woes.
These sudden night intrusions
Appeared in such a way
A Mad Dog with the posture
Of a fearsome bird of prey.
Possessed by an obsession
Upon this oath he swore
To cross the River Murray
And settle an old score.
While on his road to vengeance
Someone heard him say
‘T’is the end for that cur Evans
This ‘Dog’ will have his day.’
Accused of several murders
And robbery by stealth
He bailed up mail stage coaches
And homes of men of wealth.
He became a hunted outlaw
With a huge price upon his head
Until they finally tracked him down
Found where his trail had led.
Stalked by Johnny Windlaw
Who shot Dan in the back
The Mad Dog Morgan died there
Unaware of an attack.
Herein lies the irony
Daniel’s life should end this way
This is how the adage goes
Each ‘Dog’ must have it’s day.