Feb 032023
Female Transport – Australian Song

“Female Transport” is the traditional Australian song, but the composer of the song was unknown.

On the 1st of October 1850, transportation to the colony of New South Wales was officially abolished. Three years later the order was formally announced to also abolished it throughout Van Diemen’s Land.

What the words mean

  • Van Diemen’s Land ~ original name for Australia

See also the songs
Convict Maid • Botany Bay

Come all young girls, both far and near and listen unto me,
While unto you I do unfold what proved my destiny.
My mother died when I was young, it caused me to deplore,
And I did get my way too soon upon my native shore.

Sarah Collins is my name most dreadful is my fate,
My father reared me tenderly the truth I do relate,
Till enticed by bad company along with many more.
It led to my discovery upon my native shore.

My trial it approached fast before the judge I stood,
And when the judge’s sentence passed it fairly chilled my blood,
Crying you must be transported for fourteen years or more,
And go from hence across the seas unto Van Diemen’s shore.

It hurt my heart when on a coach I my native town passed by,
To see so many I did know it made me heave a sigh.
Then to a ship was sent with speed along with many more,
Whose aching hearts did grieve to go unto Van Diemen’s shore.

The sea was rough ran mountains high with us poor girls ’twas hard,
No one but God to us came nigh no one did us regard.
At length alas we reached the land it grieved us ten times more,
That wretched place Van Diemen’s Land far from our native shore.

They chained us two by two and whipped and lashed along,
They cut off our provisions if we did the least thing wrong.
They march us in the burning sun until our feet are sore,
So hard’s our lot now we are got to Van Diemen’s shore.

We labour hard from morn to night until our bones do ache,
Then every one they must obey their mouldy beds must make.
We often wish when we lay down we ne’er may rise no more,
To meet our savage Governor upon Van Diemen’s shore.

Every night when I lay down I wet my straw with tears,
While wind upon that horrid shore did whistle in our ears.
Those dreadful beasts upon that land around our cots do roar,
Most dismal is our doom upon Van Diemen’s shore.

Come all young men and maidens do bad company forsake,
If tongue can tell our overthrow it will make your heart to ache.
Young girls I pray be ruled by me your wicked ways give o’er,
For fear like us you spend your days upon Van Diemen’s shore.


Write a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *