Capo on 3rd fret
Intro: (**Didgeridoo**)
verse 1:
Am F G Am G
Come all ye gallant poachers that ramble void of care
Am C D F G Am
That walked out on a moonlight night with your dog, your gun, your snare
C G Am G
The hare and the lofty pheasant, you have at your command
Am C D F G Am
Not thinking on your last career upon Van Diemen's Land
verse 2:
F G Am G
Poor Thomas Brown from Nenagh Town, Jack Murphy and poor Joe
Am C D F G Am
Were three determined poachers, as the county well does know
C G Am G
By the keepers of the land, me boys, one night they were trepanned
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And for fourteen years transported unto Van Diemen's Land
verse 3:
F G Am G
The first day that we landed upon that fatal shore
Am C D F G Am
The planters came around us there might be twenty score
C G Am G
They ranked us off like horses and they sold us out of hand
Am C D F G Am
And they yoked us to the plough, brave boys, to plough Van Diemen's Land
verse 4:
F G Am G
The cottages we live in are built with sods of clay
Am C D F G Am
We have rotten straw for bedding, but we dare not say them nay
C G Am G
Our cots we fence with wire and we slumber when we can
Am C D F G Am C D Am Am7 Am
To keep the wolves and tigers from us in Van Diemen's Land
VERSE 5:
F G Am G
Oft times when I do slumber, I have a pleasant dream
Am C D F G Am
With my sweetheart sitting near me, close by a purling stream
C G Am G
I am roaming through old Ireland with my true love by the hand
Am C D F G Am
But awaken, broken hearted, upon Van Diemen's Land
VERSE 6:
F G Am G
Oh, if I had a thousand pounds, all laid out in my hand
Am C D F G Am
I'd give it all for liberty, if that I could command
C G Am G
Again to Ireland I'd return and I'd be a happy man
Am C D F G Am C D Am Am7 Am
And I'd bid farewell to poaching and to Van Diemen's Land
OUTRO: (## fade to end ##)
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