Hold me now, oh hold me now
'til this hour has gone around
And i'm gone on the rising tide
For to face van diemen's land


It's a bitter pill i swallow here
To be rent from one so dear
We fought for justice and not for gain
But the magistrate sent me away


Now kings will rule and the poor will toil
And tear their hands as they tear the soil
But a day will come in this dawning age
When an honest man sees an honest wage


Hold me now, oh hold me now
'til this hour has gone around
And i'm gone on the rising tide
For to face van diemen's land