| Version 2 Play/Download Music File Lesley Nelson |
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| According to legend a tune by the name of Botany Bay was written by a convict transported to Botany Bay in the early 1800s. There are numerous songs of that title, so that specific tune could be one of several.
There is another version of Botany Bay (1). |
Farewell to old England the beautiful! Farewell to my old pals as well! Farewell to the famous Old Baily Where I used to cut such a swell. Chorus My Too-ral li Roo-lal li Laity Too-ral li Roo-lal li Lay Too-ral li Roo-lal li Laity Too-ral li Roo-lal li Lay! It's seven long years I been serving, It's seven I got for to stay, For beatin' a cop down our alley An' takin' his truncheon away. Chorus There's the captain what is our commander, The bos'n an' all the ship's crew, The married and also the single ones Knows what us poor convicts goes through. Chorus It ain't that they don't give us grub enough, It ain't that they don't give us clothes; It's all 'cause we light-fingered gentry Goes about with a chain on our toes. Chorus O had I the wings of a turtle dove, I'd spread out my pinions and fly Into the arms of my Polly love And on her soft bosom I'd lie. Chorus Now all you young viscounts and duchesses Take warning by what I do say, And mind it's all yours what you touches-es Or you'll land down in Botany Bay. |
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| From
The Fireside Book of Favorite American Songs See Bibliography for full information. |
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