Listen for a moment lads And hear me tell my tale How over the sea from England shore I was condemned to sail The jury found me guilty sir And said the judge, said he "For life, Jim Jones, I sentence you Across the stormy sea But take my tip before you ship To join the iron gang Don't be too gay in Botany Bay Or else you'll surely hang Or else you'll surely hang, " says he "And after that, Jim Jones High upon the gallows tree The crows will pick your bones" There's no chance for mischief there Remember what I say They'll flog the poaching out of you Out the at Botany Bay The waves were high upon the sea The wind blew up in gales I'd rather have drowned in misery Than come New South Wales The wind blew high upon the sea When pirates came along But the soldiers on our convict ship Were full five hundred strong They opened fire and somehow drove That pirate ship away But I'd rather have joined that pirate ship Than gone to Botany Bay