Lyrics Mary - Katie Noonan

Mary

When James the young boy died, I stole his clothes to hide
So I could escape this workhouse orphanage
1791, nothing to do but run
So I cut off my hair and stole a horse to flee
Salford town, the law they tracked me down
And in this prison cell I sit as a boy
My gender soon found, i’m bought to the dock as mary
And sentenced to hang by the neck ‘til i’m dead
But luck soon intervened so my fate was to sail
On the Royal Admiral to Sydney Cove
I disguised myself again, to protect me from the men
Now 15 I arrive in this brave new world
With my learning history, I’m not sent to the factories
‘Tis my first of many blessings in this land
Soon more good fortune, thomas reibey fell for me
And on the first day of spring of 94 we wed
We’ve comes from shared paths — he’s a bastard son, I’m an orphan
Now emancipated we start our family
This colony’s our home and a blessed on at that
Our wealth grows as we go from strength to strength
Virtue, hard work and liberty tis all you need
This is a city of women, we make it and define it
A widow with 7 children, I run the business and the home
And though grief has scarred my life I stand strong
I’m proud of my life, i’ve achieved more than i dreamed
In this new land of prosperity
I leave this life free with my wealth and my family
Though the road was rough and long, I stand strong