Van Diemen's Land Lyrics - Van Diemen's Land - Russell Morris

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.