Van Diemen's Land

I am a girl from England, Susan Summers is me name
 For fourteen years transported, was for taking of some game
 As for us wretched females, we never see a man
 Though there's twenty to one woman on Van Diemen's Land
 There's poor Tom Brown from Nottingham, Jack Williams and poor Joe
 They were all daring poachers as the country well does know
 At night they were trap-ended by the keepers out of hand
 For fourteen years transported to Van Diemen's Land
 When we set sail from England, we landed in the bay
 We had rotten straw for bedding, we dare not to say 'nay'
 Our cots were fenced with wire, we slumber when we can
 To drive away the wolves upon Van Diemen's Land
 Come all you gallant poachers, give ear unto me song
 It is a bit of good advice, although it is not long
 Lay by your dog and snare, to you I do speak plain
 If you knew the hardships, you'd never poach again
 The first day we landed upon that fatal shore
 The planters they came flocking round, twenty score and more
 They dragged the men like horses and sold them out of hand
 And yoked 'em to the plough all on Van Diemen's Land
 Sometimes when I'm sleeping, I have a pleasant dream
 With me dear one I'm sitting down by some pearling stream
 With me friends telling stories, around me they all stand
 But I wake up broken hearted on Van Diemen's Land
 Come all you gallant poachers, give ear unto me song
 It is a bit of good advice, although it is not long
 Lay by your dog and snare, to you I do speak plain
 If you knew the hardships, you'd never poach again
 God bless our families, likewise that happy shore
 That isle of sweet contentment, that we shall see no more
 For a planter's bought me freedom, he's married me out of hand
 Good usage then I'll give him on Van Diemen's Land