[Verse 1]

1878 was the year I remember so well

They put my father in an early grave and slung my mother in gaol

Now I don't know what's right or wrong

But they hung Christ on nails

Six kids at home and two still on the breast

They wouldn't even give us bail

[Chorus]

Poor Ned

You're better off dead

At least you'll get some peace of mind

You're out on the track

They're right on your back

Boy they're gonna hang you high

[Verse 2]

You know I wrote a letter 'bout Stringy-Bark Creek

So they would understand

That I might be a bushranger

But I'm not a murdering man

I didn't want to shoot Kennedy

Or that copper Lonnigan

He alone could have saved his life

By throwing down his gun

[Chorus]

Poor Ned

You're better off dead

At least you'll get some peace of mind

You're out on the track

They're right on your back

Boy they're gonna hang you high

[Verse 3]

You know they took Ned Kelly

And they hung him in the Melbourne gaol

He fought so very bravely

Dressed in iron mail

And no man single handed

Can hope to break the bars

There's a thousand like Ned Kelly

Who'll hoist the flag of stars

[Chorus]

We sing

Poor Ned, you're better off dead

At least you'll get some peace of mind

You're out on the track

They're right on your back

Boy they're gonna hang you high