In 1803 we sailed out to sea
Out from the sweet town of Derry
Australia bound if we didn't all drown
And the marks of our fetters we carried
In the rusty iron chains we sighed for our wains
As our good wives we left in sorrow
As the mainsails unfurled our curses we hurled
At the English and thoughts of tomorrow
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry
Oh Oh 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 firelights
White horses rode high as the devil pa**ed by
Taking souls to Hades by twilight
Five weeks out to sea we were now forty-three
We buried our comrades each morning
In our own slime we were lost in a time
Endless night without dawning
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry
Van Dieman's land is a hell for a man
To live out his life in slavery
When the climate is raw and the gun makes the law
Neither wind nor rain cares for bravery
Twenty years have gone by and I've ended me bond
And comrades' ghosts are behind me
A rebel I came and I'll die the same
On the cold winds of night you will find me
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry
Oh Oh Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry
Yeah, yeah