Black Caesar Poem by Francis Duggan

Black Caesar was Australia's first bush ranger
And as his name suggests he was not white
And when caught up with by those who pursued him
He did not go down without a good fight.

A convict who was brought out in the first fleet
And a victim of harsh British justice and rule
Transported into exile and confinement
Man to his own kind can be very cruel.

Black Caesar was a victim of discrimination
And though he is seen as one who died in shame
Those who are sinned against can become outlaws
And for his crimes he was not all to blame.

You will find some good in the worst of people
And some turn to crime because of circumstance
And why condemn a fellow like Black Caesar
When the poor bugger never had a chance.

Black Caesar was Australia's first bush ranger
When to be poor was looked on as a sin
And worse for him he was born with the wrong colour
You well might say that he wasn't meant to win.