When first I left my native home, the blarney we were told How the people in Australia they picked up lumps of gold Where gold-bars lay on every street and the buster's rights were free Hurrah, said I, me napper-lads, oh that's the land for me
[Chorus:] With me swag upon me shoulder, rifle in my hand And I robbed the banks of Australia like a true-born highwayman When we arrived in Melbourne-Town to a bankhouse called 'The Grave' I left the anxious Rag-shove-cop arrested in the safe And all the pretty hostage girls threw up their hands with joy Shouting to one another 'Here comes me skinner-boy!'
[Chorus] I made my way to Gallowsport and north to Dieman's Plain And some of us get up and dust and some were shot in vain I spent three years in Sydney-jail for gold I went to seek I make my fortune in a day and I'm dying in a week