Kate Kelly
The Whitlams Lyrics

So you just keep on drinking
Despite the pain and sorrow, you resort to alcohol as a way to cope and numb your feelings.

and you try to forget
In an attempt to escape the haunting memories, you strive to erase them from your mind.

How they strung up Joe Byrne
Remember the cruel image of Joe Byrne being hanged and displayed for all to see.

to the jailhouse door
His lifeless body suspended like a puppet, fixed to the entrance of the prison.

like a marionette
His limp body manipulated, controlled, and displayed like a marionette doll on strings.

He was dead for two days
Joe Byrne remained lifeless for two long days, a symbol of the brutality and finality of his death.

and I'll tell you no lies
I assure you, without deceit or falsehood, that what I speak is the truth.

With the press still around him
Even after his death, the media continued to hover and profit from the sensationalism.

making their money
Exploiting the tragedy for financial gain, they capitalized on the public's curiosity and morbid fascination.

Shooting postcards of him through the flies
Capturing photographs of Joe's lifeless body amidst swarms of flies, the press further sensationalized his death through postcards.

Close your eyes Kate
In order to bring you solace and comfort, I urge you to shut your eyes and rest.

and I'll sing you to sleep
Through the power of my voice, I will lull you into a peaceful slumber.

Close your eyes, your dreams will be sweet
By closing your eyes, your dreams will be filled with serenity and pleasantness.

Ned rose up through the mist
Ned, with an indomitable spirit, emerged from the haze and obscurity.

man made of iron
A formidable figure, strong and resilient like iron, Ned faced numerous challenges.

Fighting his way to the smouldering inn
In a fierce battle, he forged his path towards the burning inn, determined and unyielding.

Where Joe and his brother are dying
Arriving at the scene, Ned witnessed the agonizing moments of Joe and his brother's impending death.

They had to shoot out his legs Kate
Regrettably, they had to shoot Joe in the legs, Kate, in order to incapacitate him.

and if you could sleep
If only you could find solace in sleep, you could momentarily forget the gruesome truth.

You could forget that they cut off his head
By sleeping, you could temporarily escape from the unsettling reality of Joe's decapitation.

For the warden's paperweight
His severed head, gruesome and macabre, was callously used as a decorative item by the prison warden.

Don't linger around here
It is best to leave this place, to not dwell in the heart-wrenching memories that afflict you.

may your soul rest in peace
May your spirit find tranquility and find solace from the torment that surrounds you.

Now you do horse tricks
In the present, you have become a performer, showcasing your equestrian skills in a wild west show.

in a wild west show
You now entertain audiences, taking part in a spectacle that romanticizes the wild west.

Sharp-shooting Kate
You have honed your marksmanship, becoming known as Sharp-shooting Kate, displaying your proficiency with a firearm.

the last of the Kellys
As the only remaining member of the Kelly family, you carry the weight of their name and history.

Now the queen of a rodeo
You have ascended to a position of prominence, reigning as the queen of a rodeo, capturing the attention and adoration of the crowd.

Was Joe your lover?
Did you share a romantic relationship with Joe, Kate? Were you more than just friends?

Did he send you some word?
Did Joe, in his final moments, manage to send you a message or communicate with you in any way?

A friend to your brothers
Joe served as a loyal friend and ally to your brothers, offering support and camaraderie until the very end.

all the way to the end
Joe stood by your brothers until their ultimate demise, illustrating his unwavering loyalty and devotion.

Where as brothers-in-arms
Side by side, united in purpose and shared danger, they fought together as comrades.

they would fall
However, their fate was sealed, and they would succumb to their tragic ending together.

Kate Kelly, Kate Kelly
Addressing you directly, emphasizing your name as a reminder of your identity and presence.

I'm gonna sing you to sleep
I will accompany you with a soothing melody, lulling you into tranquility and guiding you towards restful slumber.