Botany Bay

Between 1791 and 1868 approximately 40,000 Irish men, women and children are transported to Australia, initially known as New South Wales.
The first penal colony in Australia was planned at Botany Bay, but the commander of the so-called First Fleet, Captain Phillip, held the bay unsuitable for a settlement. He sailed a few kilometres to the north where he found a better location: Port Jackson. The settlement grew into a town now known as Sydney.

Botany Bay has become the synonym for transportation, notwithstanding the fact that there has never been a penal colony in this bay.

[top of page]

Botany Bay

Come all you men of learning,
And a warning take by me,
I would have you quit night walking,
And shun bad company.
I would have you quit night walking,
Or else you'll rue the day,
You'll rue your transportation, lads,
When you're bound for Botany Bay.

I was brought up in London town
And a place I know full well,
Brought up by honest parents
For the truth to you I'll tell.
Brought up by honest parents,
And rear'd most tenderly,
Till I became a roving blade,
Which proved my destiny.
My character soon taken was,
And I was sent to jail,
My friends they tried to clear me,
But nothing could prevail.
At the Old Bailey Sessions,
The Judge to me did say,
"The Jury's found you guilty, lad,
So you must go to Botany Bay."

To see my aged father dear,
As he stood near the bar,
Likewise my tender mother,
Her old grey locks to tear;
In tearing of her old grey locks
These words to me did say,
"O Son! O Son! What have you done
That you're going to Botany Bay?"

It was on the twenty eighth of May,
From England we did steer,
And, all things being safe on board
We sail'd down the river, clear.
And every ship that we pass'd by,
We heard the sailors say,
"There goes a ship of clever hands,
And they're bound for Botany Bay."

There is a girl in Manchester,
A girl I know full well,
And if ever I get my liberty,
Along with her I'll dwell.
O, then I mean to marry her,
And no more to go astray;
I'll shun all evil company,
Bid adieu to Botany Bay.

[top of page]