Classic Poem

1.

Come all ye boys of Liverpool I'd have you to beware,
When ye go a huntin with your dog and gun and snare,
Watch for the land keeper; keep your dog at your command,
And think on all the sorrow going to Van Dieman's Land.

2.

We had two Irish lads on board, Jimmie Murphy and Pat Malone,
And they were both the best friends that any man could own.
The land keeper, he caught them and from old England land
They were fourteen years transported to plough Van Dieman's Land.

3.

We had an Irish girl on board, Mary Brophy was her name,
And she was sent from Liverpool, for a playing of the game.
She took the captain's fancy and he married her out of hand
And the best usage she gave us, going to Van Dieman's Land.

4.

The first day that they landed us all on that fateful shore,
The planters gathered round us, full twenty score or more;
They led us round like horses and sold us out of hand,
And yoked us to the plow, me boys, to plow Van Dieman's Land.

5.

As I lay in the bed one night a dreamin all alone,
I dreamed I was in Liverpool down by a purling stream,
With my true-love beside me, and her at my command,
I awoke all broken-hearted, lying in Van Dieman's Land.