MORETON BAY
(learned from David Dufty, Australian folksinger)
As I was walking one Sunday morning, by Brisbane's waters I chanced to stray;
I've been a pris'ner at Port McQuarrie, at Norfolk Island, and Emu Plains,
For three long years I've been beastly treated, and heavy irons round my legs I wore,
Like the Egyptians and ancient Hebrews we were oppressed 'neath Logan's yoke,
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)
I heard a convict his fate bewailing as on the sunny riverbank he lay.
I am a native of Erin's island, though banished now from my native shore;
They tore me from my aged parents and from the girl that I do adore.
At Castle Hill, and at cursed Toobgabbie,
at all those settlements I've been in chains.
But of all places of condemnation and penal stations in New South Wales
To Moreton Bay I have found no equal, excessive tyranny there prevails.
My back from flogging was lacerated and often marked with my crimson gore.
And many a man from downright starvation now lies a-mould'ring beneath the clay
And Captain Logan he had us mangled at the triangles of Moreton Bay.
Till a native black lying there in ambush did deal that tyrant his mortal stroke
My fellow-prisoners, be exhilarated that from such monsters we freedom find,
And when from bondage we're extricated our former sufferings will fade from mind.