Oh listen for a moment lads and hear me tell my tale How o'er the sea from England's shore I was compelled to sail The jury says he guilty sir and the hanging judge says he For life Jim Jones I'm sending you across the stormy sea
And take my tip before you ship to join the iron gang Dont be too gay at Botany Bay or else you'll surely hang Or else you'll surely hang he says and after that Jim Jones It's high upon the gallows tree the crows will pick your bones
You'll have no chance for mischief there remember what I say They'll flog the poaching out of you out there at Botany Bay The waves were high upon the sea the wind blew up in gales I'd rather have drowned in misery than come to New South Wales
The winds blew high upon the sea and the pirates came along But the soldiers on our convict ship were full five hundred strong They opened fire and somehow drove that pirate ship away I'd rather joined that pirate ship than come to New South Wales
For night and day the irons clang and like poor galley slaves We toil and moil and when we die must fill dishonoured graves But bye and bye I'll break my chains into the bush I'll go And join the bold bushrangers there Jack Donahoo and Co
And some dark night when everything is silent in this town I'll kill the tyrants one by one and shoot the floggers down I'll give the law a little shock remember what I say They'll yet regret they sent Jim Jones in chains to Botany Bay