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Title
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Botany Bay
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Singer
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Harvey, Henry [Wassail]
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Notes
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Note 1
Williams, Alfred: Ms: The file contains a manuscript copy of the song and a typescript note which attributes this song to Wassail Harvey. There are differences between the typescript and the manuscript.
Note 2
In Verse 5 the original text reads:
As we sailed down the river on the twenty eighth of May
All in the morning early - at the dawning of the day
On every ship that we passed by we could hear the sailors say -
'Oh, for some crime or other, my lads, they're bound for Botany Bay.'
Note 3
Williams, Alfred: RAUT Ms, Vol 4, p 4/19, 4/20: the following text appears, which differs slightly from the above. It is preceded by the following:
'This old 'Wassail' Harvey of ninety years whose mother led him up the street to see the debris after the riot when he was a young child. The next day the Yeomanry troops were on the scene: the ring leaders were arrested and sent for trial: and were then dispatched off to Botany Bay ... This old Wassail sang to me sitting in his armchair in the cottage one rough winter's night.'
Verse 1
Come, all young men of learning, a warning take by me,
I'd have you quit night walking and shun bad company;
Leave honest folks to till their soil, and use the means they may,
For it matters not a whit to us when we're gone to Botany Bay.
Verse 2
I was brought up at Reading Town, a place I know full well,
Brought up by honest parents, the truth to you I'll tell;
Brought up by honest parents, and reared so tenderly,
Till I became a roving blade which proved my destiny.
Verse 3
The cry went forth, 'Tonight my lads, in front of yonder town,
We'll meet with hatchet, sledge and bar, and riot up and down.'
But a traitor spied upon us, before the break of day,
And soon the soldiers came and said, 'You're down for Botany Bay.'
Verse 4
Our characters were taken and we were sent to gaol,
Our friends tried hard to clear me, but nothing could prevail;
At the Old Bailey Sessions the judge to us did say:
'The jury have found you guilty, you must go to Botany Bay.'
Verse 5
To see my aged father dear as he stood at the bar,
Likewise my tender mother, her old grey locks she tore;
In tearing off her old grey locks, these words she then did say -
'Oh, son, oh, son. What hast thou done? Thou'rt going to Botany Bay.'
Verse 6
As we sailed down the river clear on the 28th of June,
And proudly swept the waves aside, while the breezes sang in tune,
On every ship that we passed by we could hear the sailors say:
'O, for some crime or other, my lads, they're bound for Botany Bay.'
Verse 7
There's a girl I left in England, with eyes so fair and blue,
Although I pleaded guilty, I know her heart is true.
If only she will wait awhile and cast me not away
I'll win my freedom for her yet, then goodbye Botany Bay.
Transcribed and edited by Chris Wildridge, 2011.
