Van Diemen's Land - Steeleye Span

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 w set sail from England, we landed in th 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