Back Home In Derry

(album: The Spirit Of Freedom - 1986)

In 1803 we sailed out to sea
Out from the sweet town of Derry
For Australia bound if we didn't all drown
The marks of our fetters we carried
In the rusty iron chains we cried for our wanes
Our good women we left in sorrow
As the main sails unfurled, our curses we hurled
On the English and thoughts of tomorrow

At the mouth of the Foyle, bid farewell to the soil
As down below decks we were lying
O'Doherty screamed woke him out of a dream
By a vision of bold Robert dying
The sun burned cruel as we dished out the gruel
Dan O'Connor was down with the fever
Sixty rebels today bound for Botany Bay
How many will reach their reciever?

Oh, oh oh oh-oh, I wish I was back home in Derry
Oh, oh oh oh-oh, I wish I was back home in Derry

I cursed them to hell, as her bow fought the swell
Our ship danced like a moth in the firelight
Wild horses rode high as the devil passed by
Taking souls into Hades by twilight
Five weeks out to sea we were now 43
We buried our comrades each morning
In our own slime, we were lost in the time
Endless night without dawning

Oh, oh oh oh-oh, I wish I was back home in Derry
Oh, oh oh oh-oh, I wish I was back home in Derry

Van Diemen's land is a hell for a man
To end out his whole life in slavery
Where the climate is raw and the gun makes the law
Neither wind nor rain care for bravery
Twenty years have gone by and I've ended my bond
My comrades' ghosts walk behind me
A rebel I came, I'm still the same
On a cold winters night you will find me

Oh, oh oh oh-oh, I wish I was back home in Derry
Oh, oh oh oh-oh, I wish I was back home in Derry
Oh, oh oh oh-oh, I wish I was back home in Derry
Oh, oh oh oh-oh, I wish I was back home in Derry