MacColl and the YT seem to have the same version as each other with only trivial variations, and both credit it as "Henry the Poacher" but without the chorus. In both not only is the chorus absent but also other words differ.

The YT sleeve notes say ""Henry the Poacher" sometimes called "Van Diemen's Land"is a magnificently detailed transportation ballad learned from the vast repertoire of Harry Cox of Sutton, Norfolk. It tells its own very moving story better than any other ballad we know. A very convincing story too - you can't doubt such full and precise narrative. MacColl relates the tune used here to "The banks of the Sweet Dundee".

I find it rather interesting that the full and detailed narrative seems to differ with each version as to dates and times...

I have the words of another version as follows: -

HENRY THE POACHER

Come all you wild and wicked youths, wherever you may be
I pray you give attention and listen unto me,
The fate of us poor transports as you shall understand
The hardships that we under go up on Van Diemen's Land.0

My parents reared me tenderly, good learning gave to me,
Till bad company did me beguile which proved my destiny,
I was brought up in Warwickshire, near Southam town did dwell,
My name it is Young Henry in Harbourne known full well. [THIS LINE IS NOT QUITE RIGHT]

Me and five more went out one night into Squire Dunhill's Park,
To see if we could get some game. The night it prov'ed dark;
But to our great misfortune they trepanned us with speed,
And sent us off to Warwick gaol which made our hearts to bleed.

It was at the March Assizes to the bar we did repair,
Like Job we stood with patience to hear our sentence there;
There being some old offenders, which made our case go hard,
My sentence was for fourteen years, then I was sent on board.

The ship that bore us from the land, the Speedwell was her name
For full five months and upwards, boys, we ploughed the raging main;
Neither land nor harbor could we see; believe it is no lie.
All around us one black water, boys; above us one blue sky.

The fifteenth of September, 'twas then we made the land.
At four o'clock we went on shore all chained hand in hand.
To see our fellow sufferers we felt I can't tell how;
Some yoked unto a harrow, and others to a plough.

No shoes or stockings they had on, nor hat had they to wear,
But leathern frock and linsey drawers; their feet and heads were bare.
They chained them up by two and two like horses in a dray;
The driver he stood over them, with his Melackey cane.

Then I was marched to Sydney town, without no more delay,
Where a gentleman he bought me, his bookkeeper to be.
I took this occupation, my master liked me well.
My joys were out of measure, and I'm sure no one can tell.

We had a female servant, Rosanna was her name,
For fourteen years a convict was, from Wolverhampton came.
We often told our tales of love when we were blest at home,
But now we're rattling of our chains in a foreign land to roam.




Another version I have is: -

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND

Come all you gallant poachers,
That ramble void of care,
That walk out on a moonlight night
With dog and gun and snare.
By the keepers of the land, my boys,
One night we were trepanned,
And for fourteen years transported
Unto Van Diemen's land.

The first day that we landed
Upon that fateful shore,
The planters came round us,
They might be twenty score.
They ranked us off like horses
And sold us out of hand,
And yoked us to the plough, brave boys,
To plough Van Diemen's Land.

God bless our wives and families,
Likewise that happy shore,
That isle of sweet contentment
Which we shall see no more;
As for the wretched females,
See them we seldom can,
There are fourteen men to every woman
In Van Diemen's Land.

Oh, if I had a thousand pounds
All laid out in my hand,
I'd give it all for liberty
If that I could command;
Once more to Ireland I'd return,
And be a happy man,
And bid adieu to poaching
And to Van Diemen's Land.