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Moreton Bay Lyrics

Artist: John Denver
Album: Live At The Sydney Opera House

This song was first released on the Live at the Sydney Opera House album. It is the only album it has been released on.

One Sunday morning as I was walking
By Brisbane Waters I chance to stray
I heard a convict his fait bewhaling
As on the sunny riverbank he lay

I am a native of Erin, Ireland
But banished now from my native shore
They stole me from my independence
And from the maiden whom I do adore

I've been a prisoner at Port Macquarie
At Norfolk Island and Emu Plains
At Castle Ule and Curstune Garbby
At all these settlements I've been enchained

But of all places of condemnation
And penal stations in New South Wales
To Moreton Bay I have found no equal
Excessive tyranny each day prevails

For three long years I was beastly treated
And heavy irons on my legs I wore
My back from flogging was lacerated
And oft times covered with my crimson gore

And many a man from downright starvation
Lies smouldering now beneath the cave
And Captain Logan he had us mangled
On the triangles of Moreton Bay

Like the Egyptians and ancient Hebrews
We were oppressed under Logan's yoh
Till a native black lying bare and ambush
Did deal out tyrant with his mortal stroke

My fellow prisoners be exhilerated
Let all such monsters like death shall find
And when from bondage we're extricated
Our former suffering shall will fade from mind

One Sunday morning as I was walking
By Brisbane Waters I chance to stray
I heard a convict his fait bewhaling
As on the sunny riverbank he lay

Words and music - Traditional

Comments/Interpretations

by Vildefol on 2/22/2011 10:23pm
There are many typos in this - so here are a few corrections for you, in order of appearance:
"chanced to stray"
"fate bewailing"
"Castle Hill and cursed Toongabbie"
"lies mouldering now beneath the clay"
"Logan's yoke"
"lying there in ambush"
"That all such monsters"
"shall fade from mind"
"fate bewailing"