The Shores of Botany Bay

Well, I'm on me way down to the quay,
Where the good ship Wildip lay,
They command a gang of navvies there,
I was ordered to engage.
I thought I would stop in for a while,
Before I sailed away,
For to take a trip, on an emigrant ship,
To the shores of Botany Bay.

The best years of our lives we spent
Workin' on the docks,
Buildin' mighty walls and quays of earth and ballast rock.
No pensions keep our jobs secure, I shan't rue the day
When I take a trip, on an emigrant ship,
To the shores of Botany Bay.

Well, the boss comes up this morning,
And he says, "Why, Pat, hello;
If you do not mix the mortar quick,
You'll be sure you'll have to go."
Well, of course he did insult me;
I demanded all me pay,
And I told him straight I was going to emigrate
To the shores of Botany Bay.

When I reach Australia,
I'll go and search for gold;
There's plenty there for digging
Up, or so I have been told.
Or maybe I'll go back to me trade:
Eight hundred bricks I'll lay,
For an eight-hour shift, and an eight-bob pay,
On the shores of Botany Bay.

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