Van Diemen's Land Songtext
von 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 we set sail from England, we landed in the 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