Van Diemans Land

I am a girl from England, Susan Summers is me name For fourteen years transported, was for taking of some game As for us wretched females, we never see a man Though there's twenty to one woman on Van Diemen's Land There's poor Tom Brown from Nottingham, Jack Williams and poor Joe They were all daring poachers as the country well does know At night they were trap-ended by the keepers out of hand For fourteen years transported to Van Diemen's Land When we set sail from England, we landed in the bay We had rotten straw for bedding, we dare not to say 'nay' Our cots were fenced with wire, we slumber when we can To drive away the wolves upon Van Diemen's Land Come all you gallant poachers, give ear unto me song It is a bit of good advice, although it is not long Lay by your dog and snare, to you I do speak plain If you knew the hardships, you'd never poach again The first day we landed upon that fatal shore The planters they came flocking round, twenty score and more They dragged the men like horses and sold them out of hand And yoked 'em to the plough all on Van Diemen's Land Sometimes when I'm sleeping, I have a pleasant dream With me dear one I'm sitting down by some pearling stream With me friends telling stories, around me they all stand But I wake up broken hearted on Van Diemen's Land Come all you gallant poachers, give ear unto me song It is a bit of good advice, although it is not long Lay by your dog and snare, to you I do speak plain If you knew the hardships, you'd never poach again God bless our families, likewise that happy shore That isle of sweet contentment, that we shall see no more For a planter's bought me freedom, he's married me out of hand Good usage then I'll give him on Van Diemen's Land