REQ: Back Home in Derry lyrics

[Christopher Ubik]

I heard a song the other night that knowcked me off my bar stool but I
have not been able to find the lyrics. The guitarist said the songs name
was "Back Home in Derry" but couldn't remember the name of the songwriter
and I didn't get a chance to ask where he had gotten it from or where I
can find it. I have searched all of the major music databases on the net
and many of the minor ones to no avail. Requests to sheetmusic retailers
have also turned up zilch. No one seems to have heard of this song!

If anyone knows the lyrics, please mail them to me at cu...@ibm.net. I
scribbled the chords down on a napkin as he played and just need the
words.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If anyone knows who wrote the
song or if it has been recorded, that information would be helpful too.

Thanks in advance.

[Ian Lawther]

Back Home in Derry was written by Bobby Sands, the H Block hunger striker
and has been recorded by Christy Moore. The words may be in the Christy
Moore Songbook, and are on either the "Ordinary Man" or "Ride On" album
(pretty certain its the former).

Hope you can find it.

Ian Lawther

[Gareth James]

I have the words you're looking for. I'll look them out and post them in
a day or two. I sing the song here in Ireland, and can confirm that it
was written by Bobby Sands. If you prefer, post your e-mail address and
I'll send the words there.

Good luck

Gareth James
e-mail g...@connect.ie

[Gareth James]

Oh what the hell - It's two in the morning and I can't sleep. So I
looked out the words.

It's recorded by Christy Moore on his album "Ride On" on the WEA label
IR0407 way back in '84. Here goes:

In 1803 we sailed out to sea, Out from the sweet town of Derry
For Australia bound if we didn't all drown, the marks of our fetters we
carried. In our rusty iron chains we cried for our wains (weans)
Our good women we left in sorrow
As the mainsails unfurled, our curses we hurled
On the English and thoughts of tommorow.

Chorus:

:Oh - I wish I were back home in Derry:

At the mouth of the Foyle, bid farewell to the soil
As down below deck we were lying
O'Doherty screamed, woken out of a dream
By a vision of Bold Emmet Dying
The sun burnt us cruel as we dished out the gruel
Dan O'Conner was down with a fever
60 rebels to-day bound for Botany Bay
How many will reach their receiver?

Chorus

I cursed them to hell as our bow fought the swell
Our ship danced like a moth in the firelight
White horses rode high as the devil passed by
Taking souls to hades by twilight
Five weeks out to sea we were now 43
We buried our comrades each morning
In our on slime we were lost in a time
Endless night without dawning

Chorus

Van Diemens Land is a hell for a man
To live out his whole life in slavery
Where the climate is raw and the gun makes the law
Neither wind nor rain care for bravery
20 years have gone by and I've ended my bond
My comrades ghosts walk behind me
A rebel I came, and I'm still the same
On the cold winds of night you will find me.

Chorus x2

Hope this is some help to you.
Good Luck

gareth james

P.S try it in A minor first!!!