Jim Jones at Botany Bay Songtext

von Gary Shearston

Oh, listen for a moment, lads,
And hear me tell my tale.
How o′er the sea from Englan's shore
I was condemned to sail.
The jury said: "He′s guilty, sir"
And said the judge, said he:
"For life, Jim Jones, I'm sending you
Across the stormy sea.
And take my tip before you ship
To join the iron gang.
Don't be too gay at Botany Bay
Or else you′ll surely hang.
Or else you′ll surely hang" said he,
"And after that, Jim Jones,
High upon the gallows tree
The crows will pick your bones.
You'll have no chance for mischief then,
Remember what I say:
They′ll flog the poaching out of you
Down there at Botany Bay".
The wind blew high upon the sea
And some pirates come along,
But the soldiers in our convict ship
They were a hundred strong.
They opened fire and somehow drove
That pirate ship away.
I'd rather have joined the buccaneers
Than come to Botany Bay.

Now night and day the irons clang,
And like poor galley-slaves.
We toil and strive and when we die,
We fill dishonoured graces.
But by and by I′ll break my chains
And to the bush I'll go,
And join the brave bushrangers there
Like Donahue and Co.
And some dark night when everything
Is silent in the town,
I′ll kill all the tyrants one by one
And shoot the floggers down.
I'll give the law a little shock, remember what I say,
They'll yet regret they sent Jim Jones
In chains to Botany Bay.