Pyrates! have requisitioned countless well known folk tunes from sailors of ages past including songs of the sea, Bawdy Ballads, Jaunty Jigs, Irish Ditties, Sea Shanties, Drinking Songs and arr’cappella folk tunes that’ll be sure ta have yez tappin’ yer foot and singing along in no time!
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Botany Bay
Pyrates! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Farewell to your dirty lime
Farewell to your gangway and gang planks
And to hell with your overtime
For the good ship Ragamuffin
She's laying at the quay
For to take old Pat with a shovel on his back
To the shores of Botany Bay
I'm on my way down to the quay Where the good ship Nell doth lay
To command a gang of navvies I was ordered to engage
I thought I would stop in for a while Before I sailed away
For to take a trip on an immigrant ship To the shores of Botany Bay
Farewell to your bricks and mortar
Farewell to your dirty lime
Farewell to your gangway and gang planks
And to Hell with your overtime
For the good ship Ragamuffin
She's lying at the quay
For to take old Pat with a shovel on his back
To the shores of Botany Bay
The best years of our life we spend at Working on the docks
Building mighty wharves and quays Of earth and ballast rocks
Though pensions keep our jobs secure I shan't rue the day
When I take a trip on an immigrant ship To the shores of Botany Bay
Farewell to your bricks and mortar
Farewell to your dirty lime
Farewell to your gangway and gang planks
And to hell with your overtime
For the good ship Ragamuffin
She's laying at the quay
For to take old Pat with a shovel on his back
To the shores of Botany Bay
Well, the boss comes up this morning And he says, "Why, Pat, hello
If you do not mix the mortar quick To be sure you'll have to go"
Well, of course he did insult me I demanded all me pay
And I told him straight I was going to emigrate
To the shores of Botany Bay
Farewell to your bricks and mortar
Farewell to your dirty lime
Farewell to your gangway and gang planks
And to hell with your overtime
For the good ship Ragamuffin
She's laying at the quay
For to take old Pat with a shovel on his back
To the shores of Botany Bay
When I reach Australia I'll go and search for gold
There's plenty there for digging up Or so I have been told
Or maybe I'll go back to me trade Eight thousand bricks I'll lay
For an eight hour shift and an eight bob pay
On the shores of Botany Bay
Farewell to your bricks and mortar
Farewell to your dirty lime
Farewell to your gangway and gang planks
And to hell with your overtime
For the good ship Ragamuffin
She's laying at the quay
For to take old Pat with a shovel on his back
To the shores of Botany Bay
For to take old Pat with a shovel on his back
To the shores of Botany Bay
The song Botany Bay by Pyrates! is a sea shanty that tells a story of an Irishman named Pat who is leaving his home and job behind to emigrate to Australia on the ship Ragamuffin. The lyrics express his farewell to the bricks and mortar of his old life and his anticipation for a new adventure. Pat is excited to search for gold and start anew in Australia, despite the challenges he may face as an immigrant.
The chorus throughout the song is particularly powerful and repetitive, "Farewell to your bricks and mortar, Farewell to your dirty lime, Farewell to your gangway and gang planks, And to hell with your overtime" This chorus is a nod to the tough working conditions and lack of opportunity in the old world, particularly for those in the working class, and their hope for a better life in the new world.
The song also touches on the struggles of leaving one's home and familiar surroundings, as Pat mentions stopping by the Quay before he sets off, most likely to bid farewell to loved ones. The final verse brings the focus back to Pat's trade, bricklaying, indicating that he may be returning to his craft in the new world to earn a living.
Overall, Botany Bay is a poignant and powerful song that speaks to the struggles faced by many immigrants throughout history and their hope for a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
Farewell to your bricks and mortar
Goodbye to the buildings and structures of this place
Farewell to your dirty lime
Goodbye to the polluted air and environment of this place
Farewell to your gangway and gang planks
Goodbye to the means of boarding and disembarking from ships
And to hell with your overtime
And I care not for extra work hours or wages
For the good ship Ragamuffin
Because the vessel called Ragamuffin
She's laying at the quay
Is presently docked at the pier
For to take old Pat with a shovel on his back
So that a person named Pat, carrying a shovel, can board
To the shores of Botany Bay
And travel to the coast of Botany Bay
I'm on my way down to the quay
I am currently making my way to the pier
Where the good ship Nell doth lay
Where the sailing vessel named Nell is resting
To command a gang of navvies
To direct a group of laborers
I was ordered to engage
As I was instructed to do so
I thought I would stop in for a while
I decided to take a break and visit briefly
Before I sailed away
Prior to departing on my journey
For to take a trip on an immigrant ship
In order to travel on a vessel designed for immigration
The best years of our life we spend at
We dedicate our prime years to
Working on the docks
Employed in roles associated with ports and harbors
Building mighty wharves and quays
Constructing large docks and piers
Of earth and ballast rocks
Using soil and heavy stones for the construction
Though pensions keep our jobs secure
Although we have retirement benefits to rely on
I shan't rue the day
I will not regret the decision to
When I take a trip on an immigrant ship
When I embark on a voyage specifically for immigration
Well, the boss comes up this morning
Today, the employer approached me
And he says, "Why, Pat, hello
And said, "Hello Pat,"
If you do not mix the mortar quick
If you do not make the cement promptly
To be sure you'll have to go"
You will surely be dismissed"
Well, of course he did insult me
Naturally, he offended me
I demanded all me pay
I requested my full wages
And I told him straight I was going to emigrate
And made it clear that I was leaving to settle elsewhere
When I reach Australia I'll go and search for gold
Once I arrive in Australia, I will search for valuable minerals
There's plenty there for digging up
The land is rich in resources to excavate
Or so I have been told
At least that is what I have heard
Or maybe I'll go back to me trade
Or perhaps I will return to my previous profession
Eight thousand bricks I'll lay
I will place 8,000 bricks in their designated positions
For an eight hour shift and an eight bob pay
And in exchange, I will work for eight hours and receive eight shillings
To the shores of Botany Bay
As I journey towards the coast of Botany Bay
For to take old Pat with a shovel on his back
So that Pat can bring his shovel and travel alongside me
To the shores of Botany Bay
To the coast of Botany Bay
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: David Gedrych
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind