In 1803 we sailed out to sea
Out from the sweet town of Derry.
For Australia bound if we didn't all drown
And the marks of our feckles we carried
In the rusty iron chains we cried for our wanes
Our good women we left there in sorrow
As the main sails unfurled, our curses we hurled
At the English and the thoughts of tomorrow
At the mouth of the Foyle, bid farwell to the soil
As down below decks we were lying.
O'Docherty's scream woke him out of a dream
By a vision of bold Robert dying.
The sun burned cruel and we dished out the gruel
Dan O'Connor was down with the fever
Sixty rebels today bound for botany bay
How many would reach there this evening?
Refrain: Oh....oh, I wish I was back home in Derry.
Oh....oh, I wish I was back home in Derry.
I cursed them to hell, as our bow fought the swell
Our ship danced like a moth in the firelight
Wild horses rode high as the devil passed by
Taking souls into Hades by twilight
Five weeks out to sea we were now 43
We buried our comrades each morning
And in our own slime, we were lost in the time
Endless night without dawning
1x Refrain
Van diemens land is a hell for a man
To end out his whole life in slavery
Where the climate is raw and the gun makes the law
Neither wind nor rain care for bravery
Twenty years have gone by and I've ended my bond
My comrades' ghosts walk behind me
A rebel I came and I'm still the same
On a cold winters night you will find me.
2x refrain
Back Home In Derry Lyrics performed by Christy Moore are property and copyright of the authors, artists and labels. You should note that Back Home In Derry Lyrics performed by Christy Moore is only provided for educational purposes only and if you like the song you should buy the CD