Romanticized Portrait of an Irish-Australian Bushranger

This folk ballad celebrates the exploits of Bold Jack Donahoo, an Irish-Australian bushranger transported as a convict to New South Wales.

Paterson romanticizes Donahoo as a defiant rebel fighting back against colonial authority. His daring prison escape and bushranging deeds make him a legendary figure.

Donahoo is cast as a freedom fighter scornful of “slavery” and choosing a dangerous fugitive fate over subservience. Descriptions of his gang roaming and plundering create an aura of swashbuckling adventure.

The lyrical, repetitive choruses extolling mateship give the outlaw endearing appeal. Yet Paterson also movingly depicts Donahoo’s death in a blaze of glory, cementing his martyr status.

While historically disputed, Paterson’s fictionalized account mythologizes Donahoo as an irrepressible Irish underdog who embodied the convict spirit of rebellion. He becomes a folk hero upholding resilience despite the tragic end.

Overall, “Bold Jack Donahoo” romanticizes a convict-turned-bushranger through vivid lyricism and campfire rhythms. Paterson celebrates the defiance and mateship that became part of Australia’s identity.

BOLD JACK DONAHOO

In Dublin town I was brought up, in that city of great fame–
My decent friends and parents, they will tell to you the same.
It was for the sake of five hundred pounds I was sent across
the main,
For seven long years, in New South Wales, to wear a convict’s
chain.

                  Chorus

Then come, my hearties, we’ll roam the mountains high!
Together we will plunder, together we will die!
We’ll wander over mountains and we’ll gallop over
plains–
For we scorn to live in slavery, bound down in iron
chains.

I’d scarce been there twelve months or more upon the
Australian shore,
When I took to the highway, as I’d oft-times done before.
There was me and Jacky Underwood, and Webber and
Webster, too.
These were the true associates of bold Jack Donahoo.

Chorus: Then come, &c.

Now, Donahoo was taken, all for a notorious crime,
And sentenced to be hanged upon the gallows-tree so high.
But when they came to Sydney gaol, he left them in a stew,
And when they came to call the roll, they missed bold
Donahoo.

Chorus: Then come, &c.

As Donahoo made his escape, to the bush he went straight-
way.
The people they were all afraid to travel night or day–
For every week in the newspapers there was published some-thing
new
Concerning this dauntless hero, the bold Jack Donahoo!

Chorus: Then come, &c.

As Donahoo was cruising, one summer’s afternoon,
little was his notion his death was near so soon,
When a sergeant of the horse police discharged his car-a-bine,
And called aloud on Donahoo to fight or to resign.

Chorus: Then come, &c.

“Resign to you–you cowardly dogs! a thing I ne’er will do,
For I’ll fight this night with all my might,” cried bold Jack
Donahoo.
“I’d rather roam these hills and dales, like wolf or kangaroo,
Than work one hour for Government!” cried bold Jack
Donahoo.

Chorus: Then come, &c.

He fought six rounds with the horse police until the fatal
ball,
Which pierced his heart and made him start, caused Donahoo
to fall.
And as he closed his mournful eyes, he bade this world Adieu,
Saying, “Convicts all, both large and small, say prayers for
Donahoo!”

Chorus: Then come, &c.