Russell Morris - Van Diemen's Land lyrics

Van Diemans Land Verse1: Early in the morning with the chill still in the air We sailed from Plymouth harbour no the westerly blowing bare The rain was tumbling all around in buckets from the sky And the wind had stole our breath away, sharp as a razored knife On a rolling sea to the end of the world on Georges prison ship Two hundred lost and hungry souls would feel a lash and whip A gale it howled all through the rigging on that first night It's like the devil himself up there singing his lullaby Chorus: I'm going down, down, down. Van Diemans Land. I'm going down, hell bound. Van Diemens Land. Verse2: Early days out at sea and the wind it blew too calm So the monsters round the quarter deck to the beat of mournful night Oh Row, Row, woe is me have mercy on my soul Who ever thought I'd end up here some god for-saken hole. Chorus: I'm going down, down, down. Van Diemans Land. I'm going down, hell bound. Van Diemens Land. Quiet Verse3: Late at night the ship at sea is rocking like a cradle Drifting with my haunted dreams, the dices on the table Then the wind it starts it's blowing conjuring up the waves Then I tell myself when it comes fortune favours the brave Chorus: I'm going down, down, down. Van Diemans Land. I'm going down, hell bound. Van Diemens Land. Chorus NO SINGING Verse4: We sailed around the south west cape and up the Derwants mouth And on-towards Hobart town, the rumours were about We heard the Chinese whispers of Port Arthur and it's rack If I get myself out of here, ain't never coming back Chorus: I'm going down, down, down. Van Diemans Land. I'm going down, hell bound. Van Diemens Land.