Song information On this page you can find the lyrics of the song Bound for Botany Bay, artist - John Doyle. Date of issue: 26.09.2011
Song language: English
Bound for Botany Bay |
| My name is James O’Donnell, |
| In iron and chains I’m bound. |
| In exile from my native land, |
| As a traitor to the crown. |
| Oh son, oh son, where are you gone, |
| You’re bound for Botany Bay. |
| I was born into the Dublin streets, |
| A native wild and free. |
| When I was young I’d sport and run |
| By the Coombe and liberties. |
| Oh son, oh son, where are you gone, |
| You’re bound for Botany Bay. |
| And all were poor, we did endure |
| The worst of old John Bull. |
| The depravations of our lot, |
| We swore we’d pay in full. |
| Oh son, oh son, where are you gone, |
| You’re bound for Botany Bay. |
| So I joined the brave militia men |
| And assembled in a band. |
| We marched on, the fight to win, |
| And free our native land. |
| Oh son, oh son, where are you gone, |
| You’re bound for Botany Bay. |
| We fought hard and we fought long, |
| But outnumbered five to one. |
| We were hunted through the lanes and streets, |
| Killed with pikes and guns. |
| Oh son, oh son, where are you gone, |
| You’re bound for Botany Bay. |
| INSTRUMENTAL |
| Some were hung, on the gibbet spun, |
| Woeful was their fate. |
| I was taken to Kilmainham Gaol |
| My sentence to await. |
| Oh son, oh son, where are you gone, |
| You’re bound for Botany Bay. |
| The jury found me guilty, |
| I stood my crime to pay. |
| The Judge called out from the dock, |
| You’re bound for Botany Bay. |
| Oh son, oh son, where are you gone, |
| You’re bound for Botany Bay. |
| I saw my aged father |
| Trembling at the bar. |
| Likewise I saw my mother |
| Tearing her white hair. |
| Oh son, oh son, where are you gone, |
| You’re bound for Botany Bay. |
| I was put on board a vessel, |
| Moored at Customs House Quay. |
| The sailors stood around and jeered, |
| «No more this land you’ll see.» |
| Oh son, oh son, you’re days are done, |
| You’re bound for Botany Bay |
| I watched old Eireann fade from view, |
| And tears did fill my eyes. |
| That verdant land I’ll see no more, |
| Until the day I die. |
| Oh son, oh son, where are you gone, |
| You’re bound for Botany Bay. |
| My Name is James O’Donnell, |
| In iron and chains I’m bound. |
| In exile from my native land, |
| A traitor to the crown. |
| Oh son oh son, where are you gone, |
| You’re bound for Botany Bay. |
| Oh son oh son, where are you gone, |
| You’re bound for Botany Bay. |