Bentley's Pub
J C Munro

James Scobie died on the Melbourne road in '54
At Bentley's pub and at Bentley's hands or so the story goes
Scobie was a digger, a drinker and a Scot
And Bentley was corrupt and rich
What he wanted, Bentley got

But Bentley faced the magistrate at Ballarat
" Not guilty" was the verdict though no-one could fathom that
Until the whisper spread and all Victoria heard the news
The magistrate was Bentley's business partner John D'Ewes

It was the spark that lit the fire that was Eureka
The uneasy fragile peace between the diggers and the crown
Was lost when men of property could persecute the weaker
And for asking for a drink strike Scobie down

The diggers gathered on the spot where Scobie fell
Ten thousand bent on justice met at Bentley's fine hotel
They called him out to face them but he took to horse and fled
With this, a line was crossed that would leave more than Scobie dead

No-one saw the flame ignite or knew the cause
Except that Bentley's symbolised corrupt and wicked laws
And as the peaceful Southern Cross shone on those raging flames
The diggers raised for once and all the flag that bears its name

It was the spark that lit the fire that was Eureka
The uneasy fragile peace between the diggers and the crown
Was lost when men of property could persecute the weaker
And for asking for a drink strike Scobie down