============== LYRICS ==============
Van Diemen’s Land
(Traditional)
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[ V.1 ]
Come all you gallant poachers, who ramble void of care,
That walk out on a moonlit night with dog ‘n gun ‘n snare.
By the keepers of the land, one night we were trepanned
And for fourteen years transported unto Van Diemen’s Land.
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[ V.2 ]
The ship that bore us from the shore, the Speedwell was her name
For full five months and upward, we ploughed the raging main
We saw no land nor harbour, I tell you it’s no lie
All about us one blank ocean, above us one blue sky
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[ V.3 ]
And as we sail, blows wild the gale, dark shadows guard the grill ;
They try in vain our minds to chain, our thoughts of freedom kill,
And as we sulk in convict hulk, aye, shackled feet and hand,
Oh, but men be free who poachers be bound for Van Diemen’s land.
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[ V.4 ]
The first day that we landed upon that fatal shore,
The planters gathered ‘round us, some twenty score or more,
They ranked us off like horses and they sold us out of hand,
Then they yoked us to the ploughs, me boys, to plough Van Diemen's Land.
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[ V.5 ]
Often when I’m slumbering, I have a pleasant dream
With my true love I’m sitting down beside some purling stream
With my friends telling stories, about me all they stand
Then I wake up broken hearted upon Van Diemen’s Land
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[ V.6 ]
Oh, if I had a thousand pounds all laid out in my hand,
I'd give it all for Liberty if that I could command
Once more to my home I'd return, and be a happy man,
And I’d bid adieu to poaching, and to Van Diemen’s Land
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[ CODA]
Young men all beware, Lest you be drawn into a snare
Young men all beware, Lest you be drawn into a snare
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