Hold me now, oh hold me now

Till this hour has gone around

And I 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

Till this hour has gone around

And I'm gone on the rising tide

For to face Van Diemen's Land.