Commonwealth of Australia | Botany Bay

"(Bound for) Botany Bay" is a transportation song from the musical burlesque, "Little Jack Sheppard", first performed on the London stage in 1885 and in Melbourne, Australia, in 1886. It is now widely considered a traditional Australian folk song.

This version is sung and played by André Rieu and Mirusia. Please note that some of the lyrics had changed and the singer also sung some words from the verses incorrectly such as "Smack bang to the arms of my Polly love" should of been "Slap bang to the arms of my Polly love".

Lyrics:

Farewell to old England for ever,
Farewell to my rum culls as well,
Farewell to the well-known Old Bailey
Where I used for to look such a swell.

[Chorus]
Singing too-ral-li, oo-ral-li, addity,
Singing too-ral-li, oo-ral-li, ay,
Singing too-ral-li, oo-ral-li, addity,
And we're bound for Botany Bay.

There's the captain as is our commander,
There's bo'sun and all the ship's crew,
There's the first and the second-class passengers,
Knows what we poor convicts goes through.

[Chorus]
Singing too-ral-li, oo-ral-li, addity,
Singing too-ral-li, oo-ral-li, ay,
Singing too-ral-li, oo-ral-li, addity,
Oh we're bound for Botany Bay.

Had I the wings of a turtle-dove,
I'd soar on my pinions so high,
Smack bang to the arms of my Polly love,
And in her sweet presence I'd die.

[Chorus x2]
Singing too-ral-li, oo-ral-li, addity,
Singing too-ral-li, oo-ral-li, ay,
Singing too-ral-li, oo-ral-li, addity,
Oh we're bound for Botany Bay.

[TheGrandBogan]

Please note that some of the lyrics had changed and the singer also sung some words from the verses incorrectly such as "Smack bang to the arms of my Polly love" should of been "Slap bang to the arms of my Polly love". But I made sure that the lyrics matched with the singer, so it wouldn't appear as a jumbled mess.

[NostalgiaMan]

One of the best songs from my memory!! I used to sing this at the University of Queensland but now in USA.

Want to come back

[Jules-ziqf]

LEARNT this at school, when once, Australia belonged to Aussies.

[shonasmith]

This brings back wonderful memories . I remember my Dad often singing this song was one of his favourites.

[w.s.]

Ich war 6 Jahre in Australien es ist ein Wunderschönes Land. Ich were froh noch da zu sein wenn man sieht was in Europa los ist. ❤

[visayasball]

Fun fact: this song is possibly the first club song in Central District's history

[benmilkins]

i find it absolutely fascinating how early Australian culture developed. its really interesting to think that the first fleet settlers thought of themselves as British rather than Australians. i wonder how long it took for our national identity to become present?

[letsgoraiding]

Might I ask what you think of CANZUK, sir? God bless 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🇦🇺

[presidentxijinpingspoxdoct]

Amazing that these convicts help to build a modern wonderland from nothing.

[giulianocerovaz]

I was born in Adelaide but alive in Italy 😘😘❤❤

[robertthomas]

Freedom is Never Free, Never Stop Believing in Yourself and Your Dreams

[frednutz]

"This version is sung and played by André Rieu."
No its not.
It may be played by Andre Rieu but no way is he singing.

[GigaChadiusTheStoic]

So much better than those adjusted lyrics, think they'll somehow improve the song by insulting Australian literacy...