I am a native of the land of Erin,
and lately banished from that lovely shore;
I left behind my aged parents
and the girl I did adore.
In transient storms as I set sailing,
like mariner bold my course did streer;
Sydney Harbour was my destination--
That cursed place at length drew near,
I then joined a banquet in congratulations
on my safe arrival from that briny sea;
But, alas, I was mistaken--
Twelve years transportation to Moreton bay.
Early one morning as I carelessly wandered,
by the Brisbane waters I chanced to stray;
I saw a prisoner badly bewailing,
whilst on the sunlit banks he lay.
He said, "I've been a prisoner at Port Macquarie,
At Norfolk Island, and Emu Plains;
As Castle Hill and cursed Toongabbie-
at all those places I've worked in chains,
but of all the places of condemnation,
in each penal station of New South wales,
Moreton Bay I found no equal,
for excessive tyranny each day prevails.
Early in the morning, as the day is dawning,
to trace from heaven the morning dew,
up we started at a moment's warning
our daily labour to renew.
Our overseers and superintendants--
these tyrants' orders we must obey,
or else at the triangles our flesh is mangled--
such are our wages at Moreton bay!
For three long years I've been beastly treated;
heavy irons each day I wore;
my poor back from flogging has been lacerated,
and oft-times painted with crimson gore.
Like the Egyptians and ancient Hebrews,
we were sorely oppressed by Logan's yoke,
till kindly providence came to our assistance,
and gave this tyrant his fatal stroke.
Yes, he was hurried from that place of bondage
where he thought he would gain renown;
but a native black, who lay in ambush,
gave this monster his fatal wound.
Fellow prisoners be exhilerated;
your former sufferings you will not mind,
for it's when from bondage you are extricated
you'll leave such tyrants far behind!
