Ruahine Run

DESCRIPTION: "Take shelter, take shelter, Pawelka has come, With barefoot unwelcome he'll shoulder his gun, At night you can hear all the shots, Across the Ruahine tops he will run!"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1944 (Colquhoun-NZ-Folksongs-SongOfAYoungCountry)
KEYWORDS: homicide playparty clothes
HISTORICAL REFERENCES:
1909 - Joe Pawelka marries Hannah Wilson (probably the "Harriet" of "Skip to Me"). After less than half a year, they separate; Pawelka attempts suicide and refuses to leave her alone. Discovered in possession of stolen property, he escapes from prison twice (the second time on Mar 23, 1910). Pawelka then tries again to reconcile with his wife. Other crimes follow. Captured again Apr 17, 1919, he is convicted of various crimes but soon escapes for a final time and is never seen again (source: Colquhoun-NZ-Folksongs-SongOfAYoungCountry)
FOUND IN: New Zealand
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Colquhoun-NZ-Folksongs-SongOfAYoungCountry, p. 65, "Ruahine Run" (1 short text, 1 tune)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Skip to Me" (subject of Joe Pawelka)
cf. "Joe's Train Journey" (subject of Joe Pawelka)
NOTES [27 words]: It appears there is a book about this fellow, Des Swain, Pawelka, Moana Press, 1989. But I have been unable to locate a copy outside New Zealand to check it. - RBW
Last updated in version 4.4
File: COl2065B

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