Botany Bay lyrics and chords
A traditional folk song, recorded by The Wolfe Tones and by The Longest Johns In 2025 who call it '' The Good Ship Ragamuffin''. The Clancys and Tommy Makem.Botany Bay Sheet Music . Botany Bay is south of Sydney, it's where James Cook landed in 1770. Recently recorded by Nathan Carter. The Blaggards, Noel McLoughlin and The Botany bay tenor guitar tab in CGDA is included. Return to The Wolfe Tones Song Lyrics
[EmFare[G]well to your bricks and mortar, fare[C]well to your dirty[G] lime
Farewell to your gangers and gang[Em]planks and to[D] hell with your overtime
For the[G] good ship Raggamuffin is[C] lying at the[G] quay
For to[Em] take old Pat, with a shovel on his back
To the shores of Botany[G] Bay
I'm on my way down to the quay, where the ship and anchor lay
To command a gang of navvies that they told me to engage
I thought I would stop in for awhile before I went away
For to take a trip on an emigrant ship to the shores of Botany Bay
The boss comes up this morning and he says to me "hello
If you don't mix your mortar right, I'm afraid you'll have to go"
Well, since he did insult me, I demanded all my pay
And I told him straight I was going to emigrate to the shores of Botany Bay
And when I reach Australia, I'll go and dig for gold
There's plenty there for the digging up or so I have been told
Or else I'll go back to my trade and a hundred bricks I'll lay
Eight bob I'll lift for an eight hour shift on the shores of Botany Bay
Farewell to your gangers and gang[Em]planks and to[D] hell with your overtime
For the[G] good ship Raggamuffin is[C] lying at the[G] quay
For to[Em] take old Pat, with a shovel on his back
To the shores of Botany[G] Bay
I'm on my way down to the quay, where the ship and anchor lay
To command a gang of navvies that they told me to engage
I thought I would stop in for awhile before I went away
For to take a trip on an emigrant ship to the shores of Botany Bay
The boss comes up this morning and he says to me "hello
If you don't mix your mortar right, I'm afraid you'll have to go"
Well, since he did insult me, I demanded all my pay
And I told him straight I was going to emigrate to the shores of Botany Bay
And when I reach Australia, I'll go and dig for gold
There's plenty there for the digging up or so I have been told
Or else I'll go back to my trade and a hundred bricks I'll lay
Eight bob I'll lift for an eight hour shift on the shores of Botany Bay
Here are the guitar chords in the key of D.
[Bm]Fare[D]well to your bricks and mortar, fare[G]well to your dirty[D] lime
Farewell to your gangers and gang[Bm]planks and to[A] hell with your overtime
For the[D] good ship Raggamuffin is[G] lying at the[D] quay
For to[Bm] take old Pat, with a shovel on his back
To the shores of Botany[D] Bay
[Bm]Fare[D]well to your bricks and mortar, fare[G]well to your dirty[D] lime
Farewell to your gangers and gang[Bm]planks and to[A] hell with your overtime
For the[D] good ship Raggamuffin is[G] lying at the[D] quay
For to[Bm] take old Pat, with a shovel on his back
To the shores of Botany[D] Bay
The version of Botany bay tenor guitar tab in CGDA has alternative lyrics.
Botany bay lyrics
Botany Bay is a well-known traditional folk song that has been passed down through generations and has become an important part of Australian culture. Its origins can be traced back to the 19th century when it was sung by convicts during their transportation to the Botany Bay penal colony in New South Wales. Over the years, the song has evolved and been adapted by various artists, making it a significant piece of Australian music history. This thesis will explore the history, significance, and evolution of the Botany Bay song and its impact on Australian culture.
The Botany Bay song has a rich history that dates back to the early colonial period of Australia. In the late 18th century, the British government was facing overcrowding in its prisons, and the idea of sending convicts to the newly discovered continent of Australia was proposed. The First Fleet, consisting of 11 ships carrying over a thousand convicts, departed from England in 1787 and arrived in Botany Bay in 1788. The convicts were then transported to the nearby Port Jackson, where the first European settlement in Australia was established.
During this time, the Botany Bay song emerged as a means of communication and expression for the convicts. It was a way for them to cope with the harsh conditions of their journey and imprisonment and to express their longing for their homeland. The original version of the song was sung in the form of a sea shanty, with a simple melody and repetitive chorus that was easy to remember and sing along to. The lyrics of the song depicted the convicts' journey to Botany Bay, their longing for home, and their uncertain future in the new land.
As the song was passed down through generations, it evolved and was adapted by different artists, each adding their own unique style and interpretation. Some versions of the song focused on the convicts' experiences, while others highlighted the natural beauty of the Australian landscape. The song also became popular among Australian bushmen and sailors, who sang it as they traveled the country. In the late 19th and early 20th century, the Botany Bay song was recorded by various folk singers, including the famous Australian bush balladeer, Banjo Paterson.
The Botany Bay song gained widespread popularity in the 20th century, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s, when it was performed by popular Australian folk groups such as The Bushwackers and The Seekers. Its popularity was also fueled by the rising interest in Australian folk music and the country's national identity. The song's lyrics and melody were often adapted to suit different musical genres, such as country, rock, and pop, making it a versatile and enduring piece of Australian music.
The Botany Bay song's significance goes beyond its role as a means of communication for convicts and its evolution as a popular folk song. It has become an essential part of Australian culture, representing the country's early colonial history and its connection to the land. The song's lyrics and melody evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past, reflecting the Australian people's strong connection to their roots.
Moreover, the Botany Bay song has been used in various cultural events and celebrations, such as Australia Day and Anzac Day, further cementing its place in Australian culture. It has also been featured in films, television shows, and stage productions, bringing the song to a global audience and solidifying its status as an iconic Australian folk song.
In conclusion, the Botany Bay song is a significant piece of Australian music history that has evolved and adapted over the years, becoming a crucial part of the country's cultural identity. Its origins as a simple sea shanty sung by convicts have transformed into a beloved folk song that has been passed down through generations. Its enduring popularity and use in various cultural events and media demonstrate its lasting impact on Australian culture. The Botany Bay song continues to be a source of pride and nostalgia for Australians, and its legacy will undoubtedly live on for generations to come.
The Botany Bay song has a rich history that dates back to the early colonial period of Australia. In the late 18th century, the British government was facing overcrowding in its prisons, and the idea of sending convicts to the newly discovered continent of Australia was proposed. The First Fleet, consisting of 11 ships carrying over a thousand convicts, departed from England in 1787 and arrived in Botany Bay in 1788. The convicts were then transported to the nearby Port Jackson, where the first European settlement in Australia was established.
During this time, the Botany Bay song emerged as a means of communication and expression for the convicts. It was a way for them to cope with the harsh conditions of their journey and imprisonment and to express their longing for their homeland. The original version of the song was sung in the form of a sea shanty, with a simple melody and repetitive chorus that was easy to remember and sing along to. The lyrics of the song depicted the convicts' journey to Botany Bay, their longing for home, and their uncertain future in the new land.
As the song was passed down through generations, it evolved and was adapted by different artists, each adding their own unique style and interpretation. Some versions of the song focused on the convicts' experiences, while others highlighted the natural beauty of the Australian landscape. The song also became popular among Australian bushmen and sailors, who sang it as they traveled the country. In the late 19th and early 20th century, the Botany Bay song was recorded by various folk singers, including the famous Australian bush balladeer, Banjo Paterson.
The Botany Bay song gained widespread popularity in the 20th century, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s, when it was performed by popular Australian folk groups such as The Bushwackers and The Seekers. Its popularity was also fueled by the rising interest in Australian folk music and the country's national identity. The song's lyrics and melody were often adapted to suit different musical genres, such as country, rock, and pop, making it a versatile and enduring piece of Australian music.
The Botany Bay song's significance goes beyond its role as a means of communication for convicts and its evolution as a popular folk song. It has become an essential part of Australian culture, representing the country's early colonial history and its connection to the land. The song's lyrics and melody evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past, reflecting the Australian people's strong connection to their roots.
Moreover, the Botany Bay song has been used in various cultural events and celebrations, such as Australia Day and Anzac Day, further cementing its place in Australian culture. It has also been featured in films, television shows, and stage productions, bringing the song to a global audience and solidifying its status as an iconic Australian folk song.
In conclusion, the Botany Bay song is a significant piece of Australian music history that has evolved and adapted over the years, becoming a crucial part of the country's cultural identity. Its origins as a simple sea shanty sung by convicts have transformed into a beloved folk song that has been passed down through generations. Its enduring popularity and use in various cultural events and media demonstrate its lasting impact on Australian culture. The Botany Bay song continues to be a source of pride and nostalgia for Australians, and its legacy will undoubtedly live on for generations to come.
