Moreton Bay, written by Frank MacNamara, aka Frank the Poet

'I've been a prisoner at Port Macquarie
At Norfolk Island and Emu Plains
At Castle Hill and at cursed Toongabbie
At all these settlements I've been in chains
But of all places of condemnation
And penal stations in New South Wales
To Moreton Bay I have found no equal
Excessive tyranny each day prevails'


Frank MacNamara, aka Frank the Poet was transported to Australia as a convict in 1832, and died in 1861 at Mudgee, which is about 100 miles inland (west) of Newcastle. He spent some time in Newcastle too, and Parramatta (west of Sydney), and Van Dieman's Land. He was a prolific poet and some well known songs are attributed to him.

It's feasible that the names of the convict settlements are known in songs and poems to some extent through his written works.

I think it's possible that songs and poems could have been written on British and Irish soil, with no real knowledge of the geographical locations, but I have never noticed inconsistencies in songs which indicate this.

As I said before, and to explain it more fully, I am useless at remembering songs and poems word-for-word (blame it on my dyslexia)so I am only commenting on the basis of what I remember, and leaning heavily on Mr/Ms Google's assistance, so I'm all ears for what other people think on the topic.

Helen