2. Snowy River Bandit
The Snowy River Bandit (Alan Torney) after his arrest 1940
Image Source: Thank you to Rhonda Coates from the Buchan Heritage Group
Staying low to the ground
From Butchers Ridge he came down
A bushranger
A stranger
To this town
With a double barrel in his arms
He robbed Miss Daisy at her farm
She escaped
Alarm was raised
The search is on
Snowy River Bandit’s on the run
We’re tracking you down
You wont get far
When you mess with this town
Well he wanted to live the myth
But he was just a man
Don’t mess with us
You picked the wrong town
Feel em on my heels
- black trackers, police mules
My shadow’s long
My campfire smoke a giveaway
- so far from home
Do I fight or run?
Bushmen, Dovers and an Indigenous Tracker joined Constable Reg Gilmore in capturing the Snowy River Bandit
Hungry and alone
He stole a hacksaw for his shotgun
At Sedan’s farm
Howling dogs
Set him undone
With a mob closing in tight
The order comes to shoot on sight
From a hollow tree
He surrenders three
Firearms
Constable Reginald Gilmore.
Image Source: Thank you to Rhonda Coates, Buchan Heritage Group. And to the Gilmore family.
They drag me through the fields
- to her majesty’s cell
And dress my wounds
The howling dogs won’t leave my mind
- A fresh set of clothes
For my pending trial
[Whistle]
Snowy River Bandit’s on the run
We’re tracking you down
You wont get far
When you mess with this town
Well he wanted to live the myth
But he was just a man
Don’t mess with us
You picked the wrong town
Don’t mess with us
You picked the wrong town
Don’t mess with us
You picked the wrong town
All lyrics © Raven & the Dove