Governor Arthur Phillip
We issued convict women clouts and clothes
We issued convict women clouts and clothes
And disembarked by six at even-tide
The ground is hard but cleared of trees and growth.
The ground is hard but cleared of trees and growth.
All hands have hunted, fished or sawn and grubbed.
My canvas house is standing fifty yards
From water’s edge. Marines shall build the barracks,
Stores and hospice, yet, dash my wig, won’t guard
Those lags who lose their tools and hold the slack.
I’ve rationed salted meat, biscuits, flour
I’ve rationed salted meat, biscuits, flour
And peas with sometimes fish and congaroos.
A town of tents and huts of wattle and clay is ours.
Though weather breaks, I’m in the altitudes!
We’ve found the finest harbour in the world
Wherein a thousand sail might safely ride.
Wherein a thousand sail might safely ride.
Surgeon Arthur Bowes
We frisked the women double diligent
We frisked the women double diligent
For nick-nacks they’d pilfered,
But the huzzies were sly-boots.
Some scrubbed up well-rigged frigates.
Some scrubbed up well-rigged frigates.
Midshipman Daniel Southwell
I fear Bridewell birds are frigates on fire,
Burnt with bone-ache.
Brisk as bees, the coves, no malingerers.
Boarded them quick.
Surgeon Arthur Bowes
Our seamen begged for grog to cheer the women’s leave.
Our seamen begged for grog to cheer the women’s leave.
The captains, glad at their
Safe deliverance, complied.
Bang, Sodom Gomorrah
Midshipman Daniel Southwell
Been at Haddums and come home by Clapham.
Gad, corruptions!
Been at Haddums and come home by Clapham.
Gad, corruptions!
Cavaulting, chauvering, the old Adam,
Hammer and tongs.
Surgeon Arthur Bowes
The deuce take it! The devil’s among ‘em.
Like Eve’s custom-house, which
Adam unshamed first broke into.
The deuce take it! The devil’s among ‘em.
Like Eve’s custom-house, which
Adam unshamed first broke into.
Commoners in Corinth
Midshipman Daniel Southwell
Demure as whores at a christening, these
Demure as whores at a christening, these
Sorry slatterns.
They’d a mind for first-chop frolics and sprees,
Bawdy concerns.
They’d a mind for first-chop frolics and sprees,
Bawdy concerns.
Lieutenant Ralph Clark
Dear Betsy, I hold steady in my eye
Dear Betsy, I hold steady in my eye
A picture of my pure Alicia.
To spare your modest blushes, I scarce durst
To spare your modest blushes, I scarce durst
Speak of this den of vice! Those dammed whores that
Broke the bulk heads to connect with doting
Broke the bulk heads to connect with doting
Seamen, such as Elizabeth Dudgeon,
I would have flogged. Sauce-boxes that stir still,
Eat up with the pox. How hard is my fate!
Eat up with the pox. How hard is my fate!
Brass lamentables dress out lamb-fashion
And paint a bit! O abomination!
And paint a bit! O abomination!
Elizabeth Dudgeon
Lumbered seven moons not taking a flourish. ‘Sblood!
Lumbered seven moons not taking a flourish. ‘Sblood!
Ironed and quodded in a hell-hold, I’m badger-legged,
A thornback on old toes, long-tongued as Granny.
Rat it! I might as well’ve ploughed with dogs.
I'll give my diddies an airing in this loose nugging dress
And grab some gully-raker’s nutmegs for earrings.
And grab some gully-raker’s nutmegs for earrings.
What be you hankering and slavering for, Frances
Frances Hart
A
choice bit o’
A
choice bit o’
meat. I have an itch in the belly!
A sweet-humoured cully,
donkey-rigged, a plaster o’ warm guts.
Elizabeth Dudgeon
There’s many a rake-jakes for rantum-scantum.
There’s many a rake-jakes for rantum-scantum.
Hie thee, hither, Nimrod!
Charlotte Ware
Fancy, you two’ve made yourself prinked.
Here’s me, clappin’ on rags out of twig.
Fancy, you two’ve made yourself prinked.
Here’s me, clappin’ on rags out of twig.
Liz tries to cut a splash, Fran’s a spank,
I’m but poorly rigged.
Elizabeth Dudgeon
You’d find fault with a fat goose! Rub on some addition
You’d find fault with a fat goose! Rub on some addition
For your greens, Charlie, and redden your cheeks and gills.
Mary Watkins
I patch a bit too.
I patch a bit too.
Sarah Bellamy
Gone mad? Kidded.
Gone mad? Kidded.
Cow with calf, cow-cunted.
Sticky darks what cling to skin,
Stinking heat, red ants sting, fat flies din.
‘Fraid my chance child
What’s due will ride the wild
Mare, being born on Newgate
Steps. Back ‘ome. Pa’s a tar. The bull won’t prate.
Charlotte Ware
O for a leg o’ mutton and smash!
O for a leg o’ mutton and smash!
Then a bowl o’ sweet sugar ‘n’ sago.
Mary Watkins
When this great sky falls
When this great sky falls
We shall catch larks in the woods.
Frances Hart
A
maker
A
maker
of mantua, mitt and muslin I was,
no dresser of canvas.
Why pitch our tents east side of the stream?
Robert Sedway
By the living jingo! Look yonder, Jim!
By the living jingo! Look yonder, Jim!
Those strums in a struggle to strike their tent,
Awkward as milch-cows in a cage.
Ho, there’s the dragon, Liz Dudgeon.
I’ll dub it up aright for this even.
I’ll dub it up aright for this even.
James Baker
I’m hungry for buttered buns.
They’re gaily dressed as carrots.
I’m hungry for buttered buns.
They’re gaily dressed as carrots.
I hopes they sport their blubber
When I pass round the rot-gut.
When I pass round the rot-gut.
The young’un’s quite the dasher.
Who’s the double-diddied sow?
She’s had a rough Hobbes’voyage.
Blowzabella’d claw you.
Robert Sedway
Not with the pox. Liz is too shrew to tip me the token.
Not with the pox. Liz is too shrew to tip me the token.
Liz ‘n’ me, we was chums on the Mercury
With a couple o’ hundred lags bound for America,
When in the Channel up we rose an’ takes the ship.
Said ship we sailed toTorbay oursen,
Then bolted as hedge-birds in ‘mong the lanes o’Devon .
Liz was narrow a one to give the end of a rope-yard,
But I was scratched i’ the arm. When we was rounded up,
The caterpillars marched us all in chains toPlymouth
There we was rowed out to theDunkirk
We rotted and repined for three long years,
Afore we was ta’en on the transport Friendship.
A trader she may be, but Liz’s got plenty o’ pluck.
With a couple o’ hundred lags bound for America,
When in the Channel up we rose an’ takes the ship.
Said ship we sailed to
Then bolted as hedge-birds in ‘mong the lanes o’
Liz was narrow a one to give the end of a rope-yard,
But I was scratched i’ the arm. When we was rounded up,
The caterpillars marched us all in chains to
There we was rowed out to the
We rotted and repined for three long years,
Afore we was ta’en on the transport Friendship.
A trader she may be, but Liz’s got plenty o’ pluck.
Come, let’s bitch. My pikestaff’s raised.
Peter Bond
D’yer mean to go a-girlin’, Bob? Or a fightin’?
D’yer mean to go a-girlin’, Bob? Or a fightin’?
Robert Sedway
Two fools, patch.
Two fools, patch.
Liz! Sweet Lizzie! What cheer, my tulip?
Elizabeth Dudgeon
Why, Bob Sidewind! Bugger your eyes!
Why, Bob Sidewind! Bugger your eyes!
I heard how’s you’d been brought to this jakes.
Dearies, be leery to this screw-jawed punker.
Charlotte Ware
A whore-monger, a saucy box
A whore-monger, a saucy box
And a pin-buttock nursed in cotton.
Three pimp-wisks prowling for princox.
We don’t care a brass button.
Mary Watkins
No more than two leeks.
No more than two leeks.
We shall all be sailing home
When Old Nick goes blind.
When Old Nick goes blind.
Robert Sedway
Keep in with that spring pullet, Jim.
She’ll give juice for jelly.
Keep in with that spring pullet, Jim.
She’ll give juice for jelly.
Frances Hart
This
rain’s pissing!
This
rain’s pissing!
Don’t sail about. Squeeze in or go scrape!
Our lean-to’s not ship-shape.
Lend a hand. Have you tack and tipple?
Robert Sedway
My palls and me, we wish to scrape acquaintance.
My palls and me, we wish to scrape acquaintance.
We know the art of squeezin’ in a crowd.
Elizabeth Dudgeon
In partikler at a scrag ‘em fair.
The scragger showed you the squeezer for your screws.
In partikler at a scrag ‘em fair.
The scragger showed you the squeezer for your screws.
Mary Watkins
Rogues is worst in crowds.
Rogues is worst in crowds.
Charlotte Ware
I'll catch the fleas for this Tyburn blossom.
I'll catch the fleas for this Tyburn blossom.
Is he foolish or flash?
Peter Bond
My fams are too fast for you, missus.
My fams are too fast for you, missus.
Charlotte Ware
You have more sauce than pig, hemp!
You have more sauce than pig, hemp!
Peter Bond
I’m St Peter’s son. Every finger a fish-hook.
I’m St Peter’s son. Every finger a fish-hook.
Pass the nog!
Charlotte Ware
I’ll have your guts for garters,
I’ll have your guts for garters,
Nancy-boy! Caterwauler!
James Baker
Snug as a duck in a ditch.
Snug as a duck in a ditch.
This be as close as God’s curse
To a whore’s arse. Molls, you’re all
Busks and clouts, hose and drawers . . .
To a whore’s arse. Molls, you’re all
Busks and clouts, hose and drawers . . .
Charlotte Ware
Eh, keep the line with those divers!
Eh, keep the line with those divers!
Don’t maum and gaum!
Elizabeth Dudgeon
No carrion will kill a crow, Charlie.
No carrion will kill a crow, Charlie.
Mary Watkins
If she won’t lie with a man
For a penny, let her
If she won’t lie with a man
For a penny, let her
Hang for a half-penny.
Elizabeth Dudgeon
Then ware the pullet-squeezer’s plug-tail, goose.
Mary Watkins
Leave me be, Jack Nasty-Face!
Leave me be, Jack Nasty-Face!
James Baker
What you need is a bracer.
Where’s my lubrication?
What you need is a bracer.
Where’s my lubrication?
What say a flash o’ lightning?
Elizabeth Dudgeon
May your prick and purse never fail you!
May your prick and purse never fail you!
Knapped from a lobster’s sack, I’ll wager.
James Baker
S’elp me God, upon the square!
The admiral of the blue.
S’elp me God, upon the square!
The admiral of the blue.
Robert Sedway
Here’s to both ends of the busk!
Here’s to both ends of the busk!
Elizabeth Dudgeon
Kiss my tail!
Kiss my tail!
Robert Sedway
Kiss my blind cheeks!
Kiss my blind cheeks!
James Baker
Bounce it off, cheery chums!
Bounce it off, cheery chums!
Robert Sedway
Have it with you, blades and morts!
Have it with you, blades and morts!
Elizabeth Dudgeon
Ah, topper! Gin is mother’s milk.
Ah, topper! Gin is mother’s milk.
Robert Sedway
Flash me the milky way, my myrtle.
Flash me the milky way, my myrtle.
Elizabeth Dudgeon
You have a nose to light candles, brandy-blossom!
You have a nose to light candles, brandy-blossom!
One more flash o’ lightning will show you the Milky Way.
Sarah Bellamy
Dream of down beds,
Got maggots i’ the head.
Dream of down beds,
Got maggots i’ the head.
Joe’s too honest a master stores.
Won’t lift nothin’ to ‘elp his baby’s cause.
Won’t lift nothin’ to ‘elp his baby’s cause.
Charlotte Ware
Not so bony a drain as cock-my-cap or double stingo.
Not so bony a drain as cock-my-cap or double stingo.
Frances Hart
A
good splash o'
gin warms yer pins, tickles yer cockles.
A
good splash o'
gin warms yer pins, tickles yer cockles.
Robert Sedway
Let’s play at hot cockles.
Let’s play at hot cockles.
James Baker
Buzz the bottle, my gill-flirt.
Buzz the bottle, my gill-flirt.
Do you know pickle-me-tickle-me?
Mary Watkins
Beef tea’s a fair treat.
Beef tea’s a fair treat.
Frances Hart
Come away, Mary. Let’s pluck a rose.
Come away, Mary. Let’s pluck a rose.
James Baker
That were our intended too.
Mary Watkins
Where we be going?
That were our intended too.
Mary Watkins
Where we be going?
Frances Hart
Leekshire.
Leekshire.
James Baker
Ride the riggen’, sweet Shalotte?
Ride the riggen’, sweet Shalotte?
Surgeon Arthur Bowes.
Gale’s playing Old Harry in the rigging.
Gale’s playing Old Harry in the rigging.
Midshipman Daniel Southwell
More like the Devil’s leading the jigging.
More like the Devil’s leading the jigging.
Surgeon Arthur Bowes
Drink to the new country in two bumpers?
Drink to the new country in two bumpers?
Midshipman Daniel Southwell
Claret? Why not?
Claret? Why not?
Lieutenant Ralph Clark
My beloved Betsy. Never slept worse!
Blowing hard this horrid night of thunder,
Lightning and torrents. Was obliged to quit
My tent with not a stitch on but my shirt
Lightning and torrents. Was obliged to quit
My tent with not a stitch on but my shirt
To slacken tent poles. My pouch, my pillow.
Spiders, ants, every kind of vermin
Do crawl over me. Fond Alicia,
I dream of our riding in a post-chaise
About Carisbrooke on theIsle of Wight .
Oh but what a scene of wicked whoredom
Is played in the women’s camp! I hope that
The Lord Almighty will keep me from them.
I dream of our riding in a post-chaise
About Carisbrooke on the
Oh but what a scene of wicked whoredom
Is played in the women’s camp! I hope that
The Lord Almighty will keep me from them.
William Robertson
And what’s your game, young shaver?
And what’s your game, young shaver?
Skulking around like you’re about to elope to Mr Perouse.
I've had my peepers on you.
Do you patter the palaver?
John Pettit
The prince o’ lurkers ‘mongst the priggin’ gang
The prince o’ lurkers ‘mongst the priggin’ gang
In Seven Dials, ole London Town
Menabs gets nabbed for nickin’ pewter plates.
Seven stretch straight!
Seven stretch straight!
I damn near copped the Newgate drop and hopped
To hell. That Bailey beak was second-chop.
Orphelin at six, I got upon the sneak.
Did cut the streets ‘n’ starved wiv cold. Then seeked
Brass beggars that’d learn me capers, faking clys
Orphelin at six, I got upon the sneak.
Did cut the streets ‘n’ starved wiv cold. Then seeked
Brass beggars that’d learn me capers, faking clys
Upon the sly.
I got nuff licks for cheekin’ beak ‘n’ beadle.
What’s left of life ‘n’ lurks ‘cept cut a wheedle?
William Robertson
Nay, shake off this black dog, hang-dog look.
Nay, shake off this black dog, hang-dog look.
At Ex’ter sizes I should ‘a kicked the air
For riding the high road to Needham
Padding two pops and galloper, my goose was cooked.
I wasn’t noozed, but might yet tie the noose.
I wasn’t noozed, but might yet tie the noose.
Aye, join giblets. Now’s the chance to wife.
Which wench will lead this scamp a merry dance?
Swig on, pot-boy! ‘Tis time to swyve.
John Pettit
A bawdy banquet o’ cherry-merry mudlarks.
Right, let’s take a turn in Bushy Park
Firkytoodling.
Wiv the parson’s mouse-trap, I’ve no truck.
Wiv the parson’s mouse-trap, I’ve no truck.
Never marry the mixen for the sake o’ the muck.
William Robertson
‘Tis raining rods of seven-water grog.
These whisky-frisky wenches whip the cat
With wild-fire or water bewitched. Drat!
A whistling-shop, a cunny-warren bog.
Frances Hart
Who’s
there? Two moon
rakers. Take us to the lush and pipes.
Reel, hop, stretch your tripes.
Come, let’s tip a stave and sport a toe.
William Robertson
I hope to raise a gallop, if not reel and hop.
I hope to raise a gallop, if not reel and hop.
I shook a nag, got bowled and lagged with the prad.
Prithee prance with a knight of the pad.
I’m feeling tip-top, but wet as a mop.
Prithee prance with a knight of the pad.
I’m feeling tip-top, but wet as a mop.
Frances Hart
You’ve
tongue enough
for two sets of teeth! Hark! How’s your pins?
Grabble me with your fins.
What a jaunty jig! What strong stampers!
You’ve
tongue enough
for two sets of teeth! Hark! How’s your pins?
Grabble me with your fins.
What a jaunty jig! What strong stampers!
James Baker
Ahoy there, chums! Get unrigged!
Ahoy there, chums! Get unrigged!
Shake heels with the Miss Horners!
Come and sway on all top ropes!
Shoot betwixt wind and water!
Come and sway on all top ropes!
Shoot betwixt wind and water!
Joseph Bishop
‘Tis a fine night to catch sprats on the heath.
Mary Watkins
True as the cat crew
True as the cat crew
And the cock rocked the cradle.
I can hear a silent flute.
I can hear a silent flute.
James Baker
Come and join the feather bed-jig.
Come and join the feather bed-jig.
We can have a bit o’ fun.
Prance like a stallion,
Mary, merry as a grig.
Mary Watkins
You be mad as May-butter!
James Baker
I’m three sheets i’ the wind!
Pass the strip-me-naked.
Elizabeth Dudgeon
Stow it, Bob! Nits will become lice.
Here, swig a drop o’ kill-devil.
You’re as surly as a butcher’s dog,
You’re as surly as a butcher’s dog,
Though I’ve cured your horn with tasty treacle.
Robert Sedway
Aye, but you have an oar in every man’s boat.
Aye, but you have an oar in every man’s boat.
Elizabeth Dudgeon
Hath not a standing prick no conscience then?
Hath not a standing prick no conscience then?
Robert Sedway
Dammit, you’ve gone twice round the fleet,
Dammit, you’ve gone twice round the fleet,
Flashing your French tricks!
Elizabeth Dudgeon
A prowling pole-cat p’raps, but I’m free to ride St George!
A prowling pole-cat p’raps, but I’m free to ride St George!
Not fawn as whore-monger’s fancy-woman flashing fawneys.
‘Twas not my intended to make your nose warp,
But I’ll not be your boot-catcher!
Robert Sedway
You’ve poxed me, you clumsy poke!
You’ve poxed me, you clumsy poke!
Elizabeth Dudgeon
You’ve got corns i’ the head.
‘Tis you that’s pissed pins ‘n’ needles!
You’ve got corns i’ the head.
‘Tis you that’s pissed pins ‘n’ needles!
I’ll smack smooth your coxcomb till you’re two stones wanting!
Robert Sedway
Cacafuego! Who’s your twat-scourer?
Cacafuego! Who’s your twat-scourer?
James Baker
Why do you stare marlin-spikes
Why do you stare marlin-spikes
And hang your jib? Pity’s sake,
Bob, steer my windward passage.
Robert Sedway
None of your jaw, you swab!
None of your jaw, you swab!
Joseph Bishop
Still raining cats ‘n’ dogs ‘n’ rag-water.
Still raining cats ‘n’ dogs ‘n’ rag-water.
William Robertson
What a nymph of darkness in thisSchool of Venus
What a nymph of darkness in this
I kiss like a horse, I’ve kissed clink so long.
‘Scuse my whiskers. Tie a knot with the tongue.
I feel my way to heaven ‘gainst your heavers.
I feel my way to heaven ‘gainst your heavers.
Let me brush the rain-drops from your sparklers
That give me comfort and cheer in the darkling.
Frances Hart
Knight,
Knight,
this strange night,
rough rider that pricks my hardened heart.
Feel so topsy-frizzy.
Is’t lust or lush that turns me dizzy?
Feel so topsy-frizzy.
Is’t lust or lush that turns me dizzy?
Joseph Bishop
You’re a very pretty fellow, Moll Irons.
You’re a very pretty fellow, Moll Irons.
Care to dance and fiddle an’ toy to jigging music?
Ain’t I a ‘andsome enough pomegranate for your likes?
Ain’t I a ‘andsome enough pomegranate for your likes?
Peter Bond
Aye, you’re a bold face.
Aye, you’re a bold face.
I used to be fetched to company
When I was a glim-jack in Moorfields.
Joseph Bishop
Ah, those molly-houses pleased me wonderfully.
Ah, those molly-houses pleased me wonderfully.
You dear little toad,
Prithee, jig backwards.
Prithee, jig backwards.
Mm. Pass the twist!
Come, buss me and stroke me over the face,
Oh, you bold pullet, I’ll break all your eggs.
Pull down your breeches. Do you despise the fair sex?
Peter Bond
Whoa, Dip-Candle, ‘tis not possible to make a bargain.
I must go to Battersea to be cut for the simples
I mean to be cured of my folly.
Whoa, Dip-Candle, ‘tis not possible to make a bargain.
I must go to Battersea to be cut for the simples
I mean to be cured of my folly.
Aye, I have an injury to my bobstay
And cannot sit bare on your lap and kedger.
Go marry other husbands!
Joseph Bishop
Battersea’d?
Clapped?
Battersea’d?
Clapped?
Treacherous, mollying bitch! Piss-fire!
James Baker
S’blind! A pot i’ the pate. Was
S’blind! A pot i’ the pate. Was
Swimmered by the ‘missioners
For marines. Got mittimus
AtRio . Smashed a dollar
At
For one o’ yer lags. Rib-roast two
Hundered tickles ‘n’ slanged. What’s
A chum to do? Rob the stores!
Aye, I’ll plot to pay that shot!
Muddle on! Pass the misery!
Elizabeth Dudgeon
The pot calls the kettle black arse.
Humbugs, that’s all on us tarts and rogues an’ traps.
The pot calls the kettle black arse.
Humbugs, that’s all on us tarts and rogues an’ traps.
Stap me, if we can’t be jolly dogs too!
A whoring pall o’ mine in London
She was holed on theCharlotte
She gorged eight guineas down gutter-lane,
Bunce we’d flushed from this gull.
Blood ‘n’ ouns, what a blowen!
Sold a sevener, we fell about the Bailey in fits.
Pass the strike-fire!
She was holed on the
She gorged eight guineas down gutter-lane,
Bunce we’d flushed from this gull.
Blood ‘n’ ouns, what a blowen!
Sold a sevener, we fell about the Bailey in fits.
Pass the strike-fire!
Charlotte Ware
What a gigg! Served out the nobs.
What a gigg! Served out the nobs.
Joseph Bishop
Ay, that’s as may be, but how do you stand the grin
Ay, that’s as may be, but how do you stand the grin
When you pay seven years for seven clys?
That’s old Mr Grim.
That’s old Mr Grim.
Mary Watkins
May-bees don’t fly all year long.
May-bees don’t fly all year long.
James Baker
What was your trick, lady-bird?
What was your trick, lady-bird?
Mary Watkins
I lifted some lawns . . .
I lifted some lawns . . .
a gown . . . Ma catched cold and died
after I’d turned five.
James Baker
I’d ha’ given you a green gown.
I’d ha’ given you a green gown.
Pass the knock-me-down!
Sarah Bellamy
You thieve to live.
Live hard? You live to thieve.
Our lives aren’t worth a stiver.
You thieve to live.
Live hard? You live to thieve.
Our lives aren’t worth a stiver.
Strive hard here, there’ll be nicks to die for.
Pass the white tape!
James Baker
Afore boarding theCharlotte
Afore boarding the
I touched my sweetheart’s bun.
‘Tis the custom ‘mong rough-knots.
See, touch-holes bring fair fortune
To a voyage. Pass the slug!
Lieutenant Ralph Clark
I dream of my tender Alicia
In her fanciest gown and new gauze cap
Oh that if you was here and our dear boy!
I dream of my tender Alicia
In her fanciest gown and new gauze cap
Oh that if you was here and our dear boy!
For I am immense charmed with Port Phillip.
Saw the most beautifullest birds – parrots.
Saw the most beautifullest birds – parrots.
Shot only one. Without you, I should go
Mad. Morn and night I say prayers for my
Mad. Morn and night I say prayers for my
Betsy. I bless your health with lemonade.
Your affectioned Ralphie
Surgeon Arthur Bowes
The heavens discharged such a cannonade
That raked the topmost trees,
Struck dead five sheep and pig.
The amorosos knew nix.
The heavens discharged such a cannonade
That raked the topmost trees,
Struck dead five sheep and pig.
The amorosos knew nix.
Midshipman Daniel Southwell
Eight bells, the graveyard watch. The witching hour.
Eight bells, the graveyard watch. The witching hour.
Robert Sedway
I’m flustrated. Wass the time?
Charlotte Ware
The devil’s dinner-hour.
I’ve a wolf in the breast.
The devil’s dinner-hour.
I’ve a wolf in the breast.
John Pettit
‘Our ‘fore hangin’-time.
‘Our ‘fore hangin’-time.
William Robertson
One hour past kissing-time.
One hour past kissing-time.
Robert Sedway
‘Twash the devil’s day of it. Passh the reviver!
‘Twash the devil’s day of it. Passh the reviver!
Elizabeth Dudgeon
Speak of the devil and you’ll see his horns.
Speak of the devil and you’ll see his horns.
Robert Sedway
Like you clapped mine. Nay, mum your dubber, Liz!
What sheems an age ago, afore being marked with a T,
I were a maker of watch-cases, taking time’s measure.
Now, s’elp me, in thish barren boneyard, so immensh wide,
‘Tish arsy-varsy. Montras ish uselesh as monkey’s grease
For us lifers ‘cos we be servants of time.
Like you clapped mine. Nay, mum your dubber, Liz!
What sheems an age ago, afore being marked with a T,
I were a maker of watch-cases, taking time’s measure.
Now, s’elp me, in thish barren boneyard, so immensh wide,
‘Tish arsy-varsy. Montras ish uselesh as monkey’s grease
For us lifers ‘cos we be servants of time.
Sarah Bellamy
Seven seems life.
Seven seems life.
My baby born in strife.
I’ll be toes up in a week.
Or my merry-begotten be born sick.
I’ll be toes up in a week.
Or my merry-begotten be born sick.
Mary Watkins
The heavens weave stars,
The heavens weave stars,
Scatter such strange, stark patterns.
Are we abandoned to fate?
Are we abandoned to fate?
James Baker
Trust the twinklers, if not men.
Didn’t Cook read the skies?
Trust the twinklers, if not men.
Didn’t Cook read the skies?
‘Twas the stars and moon steered ‘im
To Botany. They told no lies.
To Botany. They told no lies.
Mary Watkins
We’re topsy-turvy!
We’re topsy-turvy!
Pass the booze!
Joseph Bishop
Aye, miss, natur’ can be cruel curious,
Aye, miss, natur’ can be cruel curious,
Harum-scarum, but there be a jot o’ sense in it.
All my natural I’ve followed the fishes.
Charlotte Ware
‘Od save’s! Where’s yer pluck that got us ‘ere pat?
‘Od save’s! Where’s yer pluck that got us ‘ere pat?
Neds, kick up a lark! Fight cunning or be fly-flapped.
On the Friendship I clawed ‘n’ spat like a Kilkenny cat.
The guards ironed me ‘cos I crabbed and scrapped.
Pass the rum nantz!
James Baker
Bravely spoke, Shalotte. Yet who
Bravely spoke, Shalotte. Yet who
Can tell the heavens’ anger?
Joseph Bishop
Day-times the woods prickle with silence.
In the twinkling of a bed-post,
Day-times the woods prickle with silence.
In the twinkling of a bed-post,
They burst into the wild cackles of a wicked witch.
Sarah Bellamy
Spirits rustle.
I heard spirits rustling.
Spirits rustle.
I heard spirits rustling.
Joseph Bishop
The dead souls of them Indians.
The dead souls of them Indians.
Charlotte Ware
But they ain’t no Christians!
But they ain’t no Christians!
John Pettit
Is ournobs?
Is ournobs?
Peter Bond
Nay, ‘cos we’re banished to badlands for a ‘ternity.
Nay, ‘cos we’re banished to badlands for a ‘ternity.
Mary Watkins
If this be Eternity,
Where is Kingdom Come?
Or be we souls in limbo?
If this be Eternity,
Where is Kingdom Come?
Or be we souls in limbo?
Robert Sedway
Jeeshush Chrish!
Jeeshush Chrish!
What do the shoul doctor shay?
James Baker
He’d say we are souls in soak,
He’d say we are souls in soak,
Familiars of Old Squaretoes,
Dammed afore we pitch the perch.
Dammed afore we pitch the perch.
Robert Sedway
A poor man’s blessing is quaint.
A poor man’s blessing is quaint.
Elizabeth Dudgeon
Aye and a poor wench’s crust and tot!
Aye and a poor wench’s crust and tot!
Chop up the whiners if you will,
But put not your trust in pudding-sleeves and devil-drivers.
But put not your trust in pudding-sleeves and devil-drivers.
‘Snails! I’m up to all their rigs.
They sit at the nobs’ high table and promise the earth
They sit at the nobs’ high table and promise the earth
And put the fear of God up us lags with fire and brimstone,
Sneering at our fight and scramble for their crumbs.
Sneering at our fight and scramble for their crumbs.
Sydney Cove may be hell-fire itself. Or our last hell.
Even our last chance to fake and scrape.
Even our last chance to fake and scrape.
Any rate, I’ll have none of your black coats.
I’d rather lead apes in hell.
Lieutenant Ralph Clark
O my Gracious God, grant health and welfare
O my Gracious God, grant health and welfare
To all that Your servant’s soul holds dear:
The best of women and the sweetest boy.
I put my whole trust in God. Without Him,
There can be no happiness in this world.
There can be no happiness in this world.
William Robertson
Frances
No longer will you pray with knees upward.
No longer will you pray with knees upward.
I drive hogs to market, I snore so hard.
But will you adam me? You’re such a spanker!
But will you adam me? You’re such a spanker!
Frances Hart
Shoosh!
We’ll get swished.
Shoosh!
We’ll get swished.
I’ll take the sheet and napkin with you.
You’ve turned Nick’s black skies blue.
Now give me a horse-buss flush on the lips.
Now give me a horse-buss flush on the lips.
William Robertson
Pass the heavy wet!
Pass the heavy wet!
Elizabeth Dudgeon
What a shindy! We muds are all in a muck of sweat and wet,
‘Cos we dossed this first night in the Star Hotel,Tipperary
What a shindy! We muds are all in a muck of sweat and wet,
‘Cos we dossed this first night in the Star Hotel,
But at lightmans we turn our lugs to the Capt’n’s roration.
What I says is, Don’t say Aye and Amen to trifles, nor cry you mercy.
Don’t hang your head, ‘cos the reds’ll do that in two shakes.
Them that’s in the dismals, remember, all on us leaped o’er the hards -
The shame o’ being a slavey on the chain-gang,
Traipsing through the bilge-water o’ the hulks like drowned rats,
Darbied for twelve month or more in stinking holds,
Some on you ironed to rotting corpses for days, nights worser.
How did we breathe that stench? Fighting for air nigh killed us.
Doesn’t bear thinking, but it always gets my dander up. I’m sore yet.
And pecking on tack hard as nails or crawling with vermin.
Prithee, Sarah, we knows you have blue devils
On account o’ goose-month with Jack in the cellar, but hold fast!
Don’t go off your napper. Those nobs are not worth a brass fart.
And them as had your navels together can be shut up in the parson’s pound.
I hopes you darbies and joans will be rosy for ever when ‘tis lawed.
Traipsing through the bilge-water o’ the hulks like drowned rats,
Darbied for twelve month or more in stinking holds,
Some on you ironed to rotting corpses for days, nights worser.
How did we breathe that stench? Fighting for air nigh killed us.
Doesn’t bear thinking, but it always gets my dander up. I’m sore yet.
And pecking on tack hard as nails or crawling with vermin.
Prithee, Sarah, we knows you have blue devils
On account o’ goose-month with Jack in the cellar, but hold fast!
Don’t go off your napper. Those nobs are not worth a brass fart.
And them as had your navels together can be shut up in the parson’s pound.
I hopes you darbies and joans will be rosy for ever when ‘tis lawed.
Surgeon Arthur Bowes
Phillip will not spare us on the morrow
With his speechifying,
Phillip will not spare us on the morrow
With his speechifying,
Head full of proclamations.
Crimes of the blackest dye
Committed by scurviest scum
Committed by scurviest scum
He condones, yet marines
And seamen seethe with shame when
Charged and flogged upon the breech.
Charged and flogged upon the breech.
Midshipman Daniel Southwell
A humble-bee in a cow-turd doth deem
Himself a king.
Arthur Phillip dances to fife and drum,
Not the goats’ gig.
Captain Arthur Phillip
A night of such debauch and riot not seen
Since Ancient Rome
Endeavours civil. Mob rule is disease.
A canker must be cured to keep the line.
I will be harsh in word, if not in deed
To convicts most abandoned. Mutinous
To convicts most abandoned. Mutinous
Marines must face the force of law decreed
And tars that front the women with abuse.
These idlers must be married up direct
And break this barren earth with bending backs.
To live in amity, ‘tis my intent:
Amend the convicts, civilize the blacks.
And thus repair the trust reposed in me.
There is no slavery in lands longed free.
Michael Small
July, 2004-January, 2005
July 1, 2005-January 3, 2006 (research)
January 4-February 1, 2006
July, 2004-January, 2005
July 1, 2005-
January 4-February 1, 2006
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