Martin Carthy - Jim Jones at Botany Bay
текст песни

Австралийская народная баллада, типичная песня времен отправки в Австралию каторжников

O, listen for a moment lads, and hear me tell my tale—
How, o’er th' sea from England’s shore I was compelled 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 hang, " he says, says he—"and after that, Jim Jones,
High up upon the gallow-tree th' crows will pick your bones—
You’ll have no chance for mischief then; remember what I say,
They’ll flog th' poachin' out of you, out there at Botany Bay."

The winds blew high upon th' sea, and th' pirates came along,
But the soldiers on our convict ship were full five hundred strong.
They opened fire and somehow drove that pirate ship away.
I’d have rather joined that pirate ship than come to Botany Bay:
For night and day the irons clang, and like poor galley slaves,
We toil, and toil, and when we die must fill dishonoured graves.
But bye-and-bye I’ll break my chains: into the bush I’ll go,
And join th' brave bushrangers there—Jack Donohoo and Co.;
And some dark night when everything is silent in the town
I’ll kill the tyrants, one and all; and shoot th' floggers down:
I’ll give th' Law a little shock: remember what I say,
They’ll yet regret they sent Jim Jones in chains to Botany Bay.