Back Home in Derry
Journey of Sorrow: Embracing Freedom Amidst Iron Chains
Lyrics
In 1803, we sailed out to sea
In 1803, a group sailed to sea
Out from the sweet town of Derry
Departed from the town of Derry
For Australia bound, if we didn't all drown
Heading to Australia, hoping not to drown
And, the marks of our fetters we carried
Carrying marks of their fetters (chains)
For the rusty iron chains, we cried for our weans
Crying for their children as they wore rusty iron chains
As our good wives we left home in sorrow
Left their wives at home with sorrow
As the main sails unfurled, all our curses we hurled
Cursed and hurled curses at the English as the sails unfurled
On the English in thoughts of tomorrow
Expressing thoughts of tomorrow
Oh Oh Oh Oh
Repetition of "Oh Oh Oh Oh"
I wish I was back home in Derry
Expressing a desire to be back home in Derry
Oh Oh Oh Oh
Repetition of "Oh Oh Oh Oh"
I wish I was back home in Derry
Reiterating the longing to be back in Derry
I cursed them to hell, as our bow fought the swell
Cursing others as their ship faced challenges
Our ship danced like a moth in the fire light
Ship dancing like a moth in firelight
Wild horses rode high, as the devil passed by
Reference to wild horses and the devil passing by
Taking souls to Hades by twilight
Souls taken to Hades by twilight
Five weeks out sea, we were now 43
After five weeks at sea, only 43 remained
We buried our comrades each morning
Burying comrades every morning
And, in our own slime, we were lost in a time
Lost in time, surrounded by endless nights
Endless nights without dawning
Nights without dawning
Oh Oh Oh Oh
Repetition of "Oh Oh Oh Oh"
I wish I was back home in Derry
Expressing a wish to be back home in Derry
Oh Oh Oh Oh
Repetition of "Oh Oh Oh Oh"
I wish I was back home in Derry
Reiterating the desire to be back in Derry
Van Diemen's Land is a hell for a man
Van Diemen's Land is described as a harsh place for a man
To live out his whole life in slavery
A life of slavery in Van Diemen's Land
Where the climate is raw, and the gun makes the law
Raw climate, where the gun makes the law
Neither wind, nor rain cares for bravery
No mercy from wind or rain, regardless of bravery
20 years have gone by, and I've ended my bond
After 20 years, the speaker is free from bondage
My comrades ghosts walk behind me
Comrades' ghosts walk behind the speaker
A rebel I came, and I'll die just the same
Rebel spirit remains, willing to die the same way
On the cold winds of night you will find me
In the cold winds of night, the speaker will be found
Oh Oh Oh Oh
Repetition of "Oh Oh Oh Oh"
I wish I was back home in Derry
Expressing a wish to be back home in Derry
Oh Oh Oh Oh
Repetition of "Oh Oh Oh Oh"
I wish I was back home in Derry
Reiterating the longing to be back in Derry
Oh Oh Oh Oh
Repetition of "Oh Oh Oh Oh"
I wish I was back home in Derry
Expressing a wish to be back home in Derry
Oh Oh Oh Oh
Repetition of "Oh Oh Oh Oh"
I wish I was back home in Derry
Reiterating the desire to be back in Derry
Comment