The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #103208 Message #2099499
Posted By: Sandra in Sydney
11-Jul-07 - 02:47 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Norwich Gaol (Peter Bellamy)
Subject: Lyr Add: NORWICH GAOL (Peter Bellamy)
the words are in the 25th Anniversary Box set, 2004
Peter Bellamy's The Transports The full story of eh First Fleet of convicts transported to Australia, 1787-88, and of the classic Ballad Opera that it inspired.
Free Reed Records & Music, The Ceders, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 1DD, UK
CHORUS - So early in the morning the turnkey rings the bell So early in the morning we wish his soul to Hell So early in the morning when the night begins to pale We wonder will we ever see the last of Norwich Gaol.
The food is foul, the air is bad, the company not choice 'twould make you scowl to hear that mad old turnkey's rasping voice 'twould make you wonder would you ever live to tell the tale Of the hardships and the miseries you've known in Norwich Gaol.
CHORUS
Our water here is scummy-green, our beds is heaps of straw There's water running down the walls, rats running o'er the floor There's nought to eat but rotten meat that'd make a dog turn pale Yes, it's dainty board-and-lodging when you visit Norwich Gaol!
CHORUS
When e're we fancy bathing, we paddles in the drains And when we want a concert, we rattles of our chains And when we want a banquet, we drink sludge and call it ale If you want a good time, commit a crime and come to Norwich Gaol
CHORUS
Now if you fancy gaming here, the race is run by fleas The stakes is perilously high: a crust, or mouldy cheese; The first time taht I tried me luck, I nearly lost me shirt But lucky for me the couldn't see the bugger for the dirt!
CHORUS
If they'd sent us to Amerikay today we would be free But since their revolution that land we'll never see We are not ro New England's shore three thousand miles away For they say we're bound for some further ground, and they name it Botany Bay.
CHORUS
Perhaps it's out by India or maybe near Japan Just off the coast of Canada, or in the hills of Spain But wherever that strange land may be, we know it cannot fail To be a far, far better place than stinking Norwich Gaol!