BACK HOME IN DERRY
In 1803 we sailed out to sea
Out from the sweet town of Derry
For Australia bound if we didn't all drown
And the marks of our fetters we carried.
In the rusty iron chains we cried for our wains
Our good women we left in sorrow.
As the mainsails unfurled our curses we hurled
On the English and thoughts of tomorrow.
At the mouth of the Foyle Bid farewell to the soil
As down below decks we were lying
O'Doherty screamed woken out of a dream
By a vision of bold Robert dying
The sun burned us cruel As we dished out the gruel
Dan O'cconnor was down with a fever
Sixty rebels today bound for bottony bay
How many will reach their reciever
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.
I cursed them to hell as our bow fought the swell.
Our ship danced like a moth in the firelights.
White horses rode high as the devil passed by
Taking souls to Hades by twilight.
Five weeks out to sea we were now forty-three
We buried our comrades each morning.
In our own slime we were lost in a time.
Endless night without dawning.
cho:
Van Dieman's land is a hell for a man
To live out his whole life in slavery.
When the climate is raw and the gun makes the law.
Neither wind nor rain cares for bravery.
Twenty years have gone by and I've ended me bond
And comrades' ghosts are behind me.
A rebel I came and I'm still the same.
On the cold winds of night you will find me
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in derry
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in derry
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in derry
