Folklore
As a member of Ben Hall's gang, Gilbert is mentioned in a number of songs about Hall's life and exploits. For example, in the chorus of a song called "The Morning of the Fray", also called"Eugowra Rocks", the chorus runs:
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- You can sing of Johnny Gilbert Dan Morgan and Ben Hall
- But the bold and reckless Gardiner he's the boy to beat them all
In the song "Ben Hall", the fifth verse references Gilbert and Dunn:
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- With twelve revolving rifles all pointed at his head
- Where are you Gilbert? where is Dunn? he loudly did call
- It was all in vain they were not there to witness his downfall
There is a similar song about "Frank Gardiner", where the third verse gives a slightly different version of Gilbert's death to the history books:
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- Young Vane, he has surrendered, Ben Hall's got his death wound
- And as for Johnny Gilbert, near Binalong was found
- He was all alone and lost his horse, three troopers came in sight
- And he fought the three most manfully, got slaughtered in the fight
Gilbert is also mentioned in "The Streets of Forbes", another song about Ben Hall.
Read more about this topic: John Gilbert (bushranger)
Famous quotes containing the word folklore:
“So, too, if, to our surprise, we should meet one of these morons whose remarks are so conspicuous a part of the folklore of the world of the radio—remarks made without using either the tongue or the brain, spouted much like the spoutings of small whales—we should recognize him as below the level of nature but not as below the level of the imagination.”
—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)
“Someday soon, we hope that all middle and high school will have required courses in child rearing for girls and boys to help prepare them for one of the most important and rewarding tasks of their adulthood: being a parent. Most of us become parents in our lifetime and it is not acceptable for young people to be steeped in ignorance or questionable folklore when they begin their critical journey as mothers and fathers.”
—James P. Comer (20th century)