"Four Rode By"

Alex Hare

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Mar 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/31/98

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Greetings all,

I was wondering if anyone here can point toward or provide the lyrics for
"Four Rode By" by Ian & Sylvia. I know it's a song about the McLean
Brothers, but other than that I've been unable to come up with the lyrics to
the song.

I've found a similar song by Bill Gallaher, "The Wild McLean Boys." Similar
subject matter, but from the RA clips it sounds like a different song.

Checked out a couple lyric servers already, but if anyone out there knows of
some really good ones that might have obscure Canadian folk lyrics, I'm
willing to try some more.

Thanks,
Alex H.

Wayne Garvin

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Apr 1, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/1/98

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The Oregon Bluegrass Association's website lists "Four Rode By" in their
song index, but they don't have any lyrics on the site -- you have to
request them by e-mail. Here's the message from the song index page at
http://www.aracnet.com/~obagrass/songindx.html :

{Quote}
This index currently has no links, but if you want the lyrics, chords, and
artist list for a song in the index "Dobro Duane" Thompson has graciously
agreed to supply information for small requests via electronic mail. You
can contact him at Dobro...@aol.com .
{Unquote}

If you get the lyrics, please post them in alt.music.lyrics for the benefit
of others who might be interested. Put the following in the Subject field of
your message:

LYR: "Four Rode By" - Ian & Sylvia

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Darrowby

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Apr 1, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/1/98

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Willie Palmer's stallion was no twenty-dollar cayuse
So when the Wild Ones stole him he hightailed it into town
Usher in those days was keeping order in the district
But before he'd ridden thirty miles the McLean boys shot him
down

Cho: FOUR RODE BY
Rode through here
Three McLean boys and that wild Alex Hare

A shepherd known as Kelly saw the Wild Ones as they passed
They shot him with a rifle and they took his watch and chain
When the posse found them they were in the lonely cabin
Hunger took their pride away and no one else was slain

They hung the boys in January, 1881
The first time in that province that they'd strung up brothers three
(?) And their sons killed nineteen Germans 'cross the seas back
in 'seventeen
One thing that's for damn' sure, they're a wild old family

Never was quite sure I was hearing that line with the (?) correctly.
Ian is occassionally more stylish than distinct. Anybody know his mailing
address?

Dennis

Darrowby

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Apr 1, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/1/98

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Oops! Here's the whole chorus:

FOUR RODE BY
Rode through here
Three McLean boys and that wild Alex Hare

They were armed
All were armed
It was them, I'd'a' known them anywhere