In early 2002 I found the book 'Jean Lee-the last woman hanged in Australia' by Paul Wilson
in a pile of $1 remaindered books and was struck by what was an obviously 20 th century photograph on the cover.
To be honest I had no idea any women were hanged in Australia in the 20th century. Anyway after reading the book I wanted to write something about the story and after discussing it with my wife that's exactly what we did. The characters we portrayed in what was intended to become a fully fledged opera are our interpretations rather than an attempt at strict historical accuracy.
Ed Kuepper
all rights reserved by Ed Kuepper and Judi Dransfield Kuepper
Hang Jean Lee [lyrics Judi Dransfield Kuepper/music Ed Kuepper]
At the Tivoli
I danced all year
Lush lips red hair
Legs up to here
These days they’re open
For a quid or a beer.
a north shore ride
without a fare
This is the paper
Norm said he’d sign
No belt no scarf
Or shoelace mine
It was in the spring
At carnival time
Two men and me
I’m in my prime
I find a bloke
That’s oozing wealth
He’s the condemned
In good health
Lots of whiskey but
His pants were too tight
We shout and scream
And get into a fight
I told them all to stop
But I was there
Final performance
I’ll brush my hair
Now here’s the hood
Am I looking good?
Thinking of things
I never should
No alcohol,
Sedation no trace
Blessed relief
Not in this place
Hold the rosemary beads
And clutch ‘em real tight
I’ll fear the dawn
All through this night
I told them it was me
That did the kill
You know I love you
And always will
And the papers say
It was all due to me
Everybody wants to
Hang jean lee
But I didn’t do it
Miracles [lyrics Judi Dransfield Kuepper and Ed Kuepper /
music Ed Kuepper]
I know you let me down
But it’s the way
It could have been
Its times that we had
And places we’ve seen
They think I’m mad
They say that I
I shouldn’t love you
But I can still see
The water from the window
Of our apartment by the sea
You must think I’m mad
You saw the hole in the ground
And you filled it in for me
Always looking over my shoulder
I knew that it was temporary
I think I’m going mad
So please ignore this criticism
Just keep up the witticism
No point being cynical
Now we’re a public spectacle
Its gonna take a miracle
To get us out of here
From what I’ve heard miracles
Are these days just an illusion
I don’t like the movie -I don’t like the script
I don’t like the characters -I don’t like the photography
I don’t like the way it ends
That depends lyrics and music Ed Kuepper
Yonder comes that friend of mine
She won’t walk that centre line
No matter what
There she goes that friend of mine
She can’t walk that centre line
No matter what
She won’t tell me what she’s got
She won’t tell me what she’s got
No matter what
There she goes that friend of mine
She won’t walk that centre line
No matter what
That depends on what you need
Still takes time even at full speed
Could be faster even so
That depends on what you know
Yonder comes that friend of mine
She won’t walk that centre line
No matter what
Here she comes that friend of mine
She won’t walk that centre line
No matter what
She won’t tell me what she’s got
She won’t tell me what she’s got
No matter what
Here she comes that friend of mine
She won’t walk that centre line
No matter what
Daddy’s girl [lyrics Judi Dransfield Kuepper and Ed Kuepper /
music Ed Kuepper]
She can play at being daddy’s girl
Yeah she can, be your baby
She’s real fine
I keep her on the burl,
So she’s got
No time for whinin’
She’s got three holes
That you get for one price and matey,
You can slap her
Make a pass
Yeah she’s got a nice arse.
But mister no fucks on credit
She likes a man that has got some wheels
And cash and mate you can ride her
Stiletto heels
There’s nothing she won’t do
For you and
You’ll be driving
She does all kinds
And she likes it rough
She’ll do it
With perfect timing
She takes plenty
And it’s never too much
Your needs are… they’re over-riding
Can’t you see that she’s her daddy’s girl?
I tell you
She’s my darlin’
You’ll be fine just keep her on the burl
I tell ya
Yeah you’ll be flying
Skinny Jean [lyrics Judi Dransfield Kuepper/music Ed Kuepper]
In the ladies lounge
At the university hotel
Its last drinks folks
He buys some whiskey and wine
Invites us to his flat
He’s flush- He’s backed a little beauty
He’s in the money
Looking for a good time
Two chairs, a bed, a one room flat
Light up a smoke, take off my hat
A nod and a wink
Norm and Bob leave the room
He looks me over, and…
He tells me I’m a real good sort
He calls me skinny Jean,
I sit on his knee
Where’s the cash? His hidden stash
I’m in his pants they’re way too tight
His dick is hard,
He’s gonna lose all control
Try as I might can’t get that roll
It’s in the fob a bloody job
The blokes are back and the
Room they ransack
Rip the sheet and truss him up
We bash and cut the fucker up
He’ll tell us where it is
It’s got to be here
A knock at the door that we ignore
Norm’s hands around the bastard’s neck
He’s quiet, real quiet. The dead don’t talk or go far
Yellow Dog [lyrics Judi Dransfield Kuepper and Ed Kuepper /
music Ed Kuepper]
A pre Raphaelite beauty
With can-can legs
You should see her dance
She can make a man beg
Skin like silk
She’s got a killer smile
The kind you see
Once a while
But I’m the yellow dog
I turned her for the crime
I’m the yellow dog
I’m pining all the time
I’m the yellow dog
I turned in the one I love
Well it sure is true
You hurt the ones you love
Skin like silk
She’s got a killer smile
The kind you see
Once a while
How much she means to me
I can’t compare
I look at her
With her flame red hair
But I’m the yellow dog
I turned in the one I love
I’m the yellow dog
That hurt the girl I love
I’m the yellow dog
I turned her for the crime
I’m the yellow dog
That’s pining all the time
How much she means to me
I can’t compare
I look at her
And her flame red hair
For a real smart girl
She such a stupid bint
With a whole lotta mouth
I got to slap shut
I’m the yellow dog
I turned her for the crime
I’m the yellow dog
That’s pining all the time
How much she means to me
I can’t compare
I look at her
And her flame red hair
For a real smart girl
She acts a stupid cunt
With a whole lotta mouth
I got to slap shut
I’m the yellow dog
I turned her for the crime
I’m the yellow dog
That’s pining all the time
Well they always say you hate
The ones you love
I’m the yellow dog
Who turned on the girl I love
Demolition [lyrics Judi Dransfield Kuepper and Ed Kuepper /
music Ed Kuepper]
You’re in a play
Don’t know your lines
Or what to say
You ask your sister
She shrugs
Who cares anyway?
The man with the mirror
He directs and
Feeds you lines
They’re smooth and glib
You paint your picture
With in the lines
There’s this soundtrack
That you don’t
Want to include
Acerbic cryptic author
Hands you his tissues
I held your eyes
Much longer than
I wanted to
Would I still fall apart
If I’m not there with you?
It’s going to be
Your demolition
Shame [lyrics Judi Dransfield Kuepper and Ed Kuepper /
music Ed Kuepper]
Sometimes things just seem like
They will never be the same
Some things last must longer
Than you thought
And some times things don’t last
So long at all
And that’s a shame
Wish I could have seen the way
That this was going to end
Disappointments come and stay
That’s plain
Some things you just can’t explain
And no you’re
Not to blame
Sometimes things don’t seem like
They will ever be the same
Some things last must longer
Than you thought
And some things don’t last
Very long at all
And that’s a shame
Real to me [lyrics Judi Dransfield Kuepper/
music Ed Kuepper]
I know you’re not an idiot
So how come you just don’t get
That it’s not a fantasy
And it’s very real to me
You say you’re blue as the sea
Yes it’s all about you
But it’s not a story
‘cause it’s real enough to me
So your friends all think you’re shallow
Even though you never wallow
‘cause it’s not a movie
And it’s very real to me
I know you’re in much too deep
And you just cannot sleep
But it’s not history
‘cause it’s real enough to me
