3302. The Hat Ned Kelly Wore (Traditional Australian)

Ned Kelly is Australia's most famous bushranger and this is just one of many songs written about him. He is generally regarded as a hero rather than the criminal he really was, because of the way he stood up to the authorities of the time. He is well known for the metal armour that he wore, and the hat referred to here is probably a part of that armour.

Lyrics and chords:
........... D ...................................................... A
Good evening to youse one and all, good luck to what I say,
....... G ......................... D ...................... G ................ D
I've just stepped in amongst you all before I go away,
....................................................................... A
And I've brought with me the relics of the good old days of yore,
............. G .................. D ...................... G ................... D
And I'll sing for you a song about the hat Ned Kelly wore.

Oh, it was made of rusty iron, the finest ever known.
It was worn in 1880 at the hotel in Glenrowan.
And it terrified the troopers, the minions of the law,
When they saw it in the morning, the hat Ned Kelly wore.

Now, the name is Larry Doolan. I'm a true Ausralian man.
I was born of Irish parents in the township of Ballan.
I can sing and dance with any man when i take to the floor,
But I curse the day they trampled on the hat Ned Kelly wore.

Oh, it was made of rusty iron, the finest ever known.
It was worn in 1880 at the hotel at Glenrowan.
And it terrified the troopers, who terrorised the poor,
'Tis the relic of a hero, the hat Ned Kelly wore.

You can talk about your hombergs and your stiff brimmed panamas.
You can talk about your war caps, all bright colours and fine stars.
You can search Strathbogie Ranges, Timbuktoo or Singapore,
But you'll never find the equal of the hat Ned Kelly wore.

Oh, it was made of rusty iron, the finest ever known.
It was worn in 1880 at the hotel at Glenrowan.
And it terrified the troopers, who terrorised the poor,
'Tis the relic of a hero, the hat Ned Kelly wore.

And if ever I return again my native home to see
I hope you'll, in the old bush way,a welcome give to me,
With songs about the Kelly gang to cheer me o'er and o'er
And make me want to see again the hat Ned Kelly wore.

Oh, it was made of rusty iron, the finest ever known.
It was worn in 1880 at the hotel at Glenrowan.
And it terrified the troopers, who terrorised the poor,
'Tis the relic of a hero, the hat Ned Kelly wore.