Celebrating The Things That Make Australia Unique
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AUSTRALIAN SONGS
Last Drinks
at Glenrowan
Also see their song Sunshine in the Rain
The inspiration for Last Drinks at Glenrowan came when the Australian band Stormcellar was touring in Melbourne and a few bush towns on the way back to Sydney and called into Kelly Country.
Michael Barry (harmonica and vocals) was brought up on Shanties, Irish and Scottish ditties and some rollicking Liverpool songs. (His dad Glenn was a bit of a folk and traditional fan.)
Glenn Barry told us that he doesn't know "if we are related to Judge Barry who sentenced Ned to the gallows." Would make a great story if they were.
Ned Kelly, Bushranger
Edward "Ned" Kelly (1854-1880) was an Irish Australian bushranger. He is a controversial colonial figure often called a folk hero and symbol of resistance against the oppressive British rule and constant police harassment.
For others, Kelly is nothing more than a cold-blooded killer who was
hanged at the Old Melbourne Gaol for the murder of Constable Lonigan. He was sentenced to death by the Irish-born judge Justice Redmond Barry.
Most people remember Ned Kelly as the man wearing his home-made metal armour and can-shaped helmet.
Michael Barry of Stormcellar was kind enough to send me an mp3 of Last Drinks at Glenrowan.
I have to tell you that when I heard this song, I enjoyed it so much that knew I had to share it with all of you. Stormcellar performs at various venues all over Australia and you can learn more about them at the bottom of this page.
Listen to a 1 minute excerpt of the song
Tell me now my brother
what red glistens in the sun
Bright as rises morning
on the hills of Glenrowan
That no man claim my liberty
my brother he replied
Who never raised a hand against
a man unless he tried
For those wholl not yield to the crown
nor make to bend the knee
And that may choose to live or die
and yet still shall be free
Hand me now my pistols dark
raise up my iron crown
Cage me now in righteousness
put not my burden down
And yoke such Bullocks to the plow
as make harvest of Men
'Till weep the blinds from Justice eyes
yet shall I be avenged
If Man be but a breath in clay
his passage pain and strife
To yearn for freedom to his end
and know that such is life
© Michael Barry & Paul Read 2009
About Stormcellar
Australian band Stormcellar's music is based solidly in blues, roots and country, combining influences from the likes of Canned Heat and Creedence. Stormcellar maintains a song writing focus and prolific output rate, with two albums of original material released in 2010 alone.
Crossing genres and styles, Stormcellar has been equally at home at blues festivals, The Tamworth Country Music Festival, Acer Arena, and spent a year as the support act for legendary Australian rockers, The Radiators.
Nuevo Retro (#1 on the Australian Roots Chart) has received wide airplay, including ABC Radio, SBS Radio. Channel 9s Today Show featured the video clip for Dont Get Around Much. Their unique, self produced video clips are in regular rotation on Channel 31, TVS and Foxtel.
