Lyrics Jim Jones At Botany Bay - Gary Shearston

Jim Jones At Botany Bay

Oh, listen for a moment, lads, and hear me tell me tale
How o’er the sea from England’s shore I was obliged to sail
The jury says: «He's guilty, sir,» and says the judge, says 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,» says 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 the pirates come along
But the soldiers in our convict ship was nigh five hundred strong
They opened fire and somehow drove that pirate ship away
I’d rather have joined the skull-and-bones than go 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 me 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 them 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