When first I left my native home, the blarney we were told How the people in Australia they picked up lumps of gold Where gold-bars lay on every street and the buster?s rights were free Hurrah, said I, me napper-lads, oh that?s the land for me
[chorus:] With me swag upon me shoulder, rifle in my hand And I robbed the banks of Australia like a true-born highwayman
When we arrived in Melbourne-Town to a bankhouse called "The Grave" I left the anxious Rag-shove-cop arrested in the safe And all the pretty hostage girls threw up their hands with joy Shouting to one another "Here comes me skinner-boy!"
[chorus]
I made my way to Gallowsport and north to Dieman?s Plain And some of us get up and dust and some were shot in vain I spent three years in Sydney-jail for gold I went to seek I make my fortune in a day and I?m dying in a week