Key: D
Introduction: Em G D A Em G D Em Bm
Em G
In 1803 we sailed out to sea,
D A Em
out from the sweet town of Derry.
Em G
For Australia bound, if we didn't all drown,
D A Em
and the marks of our fetters we carried.
A G
In our rusty iron chains we cried for our weans,
A Bm
our good women we left in sorrow.
Em G
As the mainsails unfurled, our curses we hurled
D A Em
on the English, and thoughts of tomorrow.
Em G
At the mouth of the Foyle, bid farewell to the soil,
D A Em
as down below decks we were lying.
Em G
O'Doherty screamed, woken out of a dream
D A Em
by a vision of bold Robert dying.
A G
The sun burned cruel as we dished out the gruel,
A Bm
Dan O'Connor was down with a fever.
Em G
Sixty rebels today bound for Botany Bay,
D A Em
how many will reach their receiver.
G D Em D Em
O........h, I wish I was back home in Derry. (2x)
Em G
I cursed them to hell as her bow fought the swell,
D A Em
our ship danced like a moth in the firelight.
Em G
White horses rode high as the devil passed by,
D A Em
taking souls to Hades by twilight.
A G
Five weeks out to sea, we were now forty-three,
A Bm
we buried our comrades each morning.
Em G
In our own slime we were lost in a time
D A Em
of endless night without dawning.
G D Em D Em
O........h, I wish I was back home in Derry. (2x)
Em G
Van Diemen's land is a hell for a man,
D A Em
to vent out his whole life in slavery.
Em G
Where the climate is raw and the gun makes the law,
D A Em
neither wind nor rain care for bravery.
A G
Twenty years have gone by, I've ended my bond,
A Bm
my comrades ghosts walk behind me.
Em G
A rebel I came, I'm still the same,
D A Em
on the cold winters night you will find me.
G D Em D Em
O........h, I wish I was back home in Derry. (4x)