Joe's Train Journey

DESCRIPTION: "Freed from gaol Joe Pawelka came, Riding a wagon, the longest goods train." He hides beneath the wagon tarp. Bells warn of his presence. Barefoot, he jumps off the train. "Standing, he's tall, after all, hard the fall, bounce a ball, Off the wall O!"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1944 (Colquhoun-NZ-Folksongs-SongOfAYoungCountry)
KEYWORDS: train prisoner escape
HISTORICAL REFERENCES: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, "Joe's Train Journey" (1 text, 1 tune)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Skip to Me" (subject of Joe Pawelka)
cf. "Ruahine Run" (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 6.4
File: COl2066

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