Van Diemans Land
Verse1:
Early in the morning with the chill still in the air
We sailed from Plymouth harbour no the westerly blowing bare
The rain was tumbling all around in buckets from the sky
And the wind had stole our breath away, sharp as a razored knife
On a rolling sea to the end of the world on Georges prison ship
Two hundred lost and hungry souls would feel a lash and whip
A gale it howled all through the rigging on that first night
It's like the devil himself up there singing his lullaby
Chorus:
I'm going down, down, down. Van Diemans Land.
I'm going down, hell bound. Van Diemens Land.
Verse2:
Early days out at sea and the wind it blew too calm
So the monsters round the quarter deck to the beat of mournful night
Oh Row, Row, woe is me have mercy on my soul
Who ever thought I'd end up here some god for-saken hole. Chorus:
I'm going down, down, down. Van Diemans Land.
I'm going down, hell bound. Van Diemens Land.
Quiet Verse3:
Late at night the ship at sea is rocking like a cradle
Drifting with my haunted dreams, the dices on the table
Then the wind it starts it's blowing conjuring up the waves
Then I tell myself when it comes fortune favours the brave
Chorus:
I'm going down, down, down. Van Diemans Land.
I'm going down, hell bound. Van Diemens Land.
Chorus NO SINGING
Verse4:
We sailed around the south west cape and up the Derwants mouth
And on-towards Hobart town, the rumours were about
We heard the Chinese whispers of Port Arthur and it's rack
If I get myself out of here, ain't never coming back
Chorus:
I'm going down, down, down. Van Diemans Land.
I'm going down, hell bound. Van Diemens Land.