Moreton Bay - Paul Costa

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 in my crimson gore

And many a man from down right 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