Chorus:
G C G C G
Hold me now, oh hold me now
Em C D
Til this hour has gone around.
Bm Em C
And I'm gone on the rising tide
G D G C G
For to face Van Diemen's Land.
Verse:
G C G C G
It's a bitter pill I swallow here
Em C D
To be rent from one so dear.
Bm Em C
We fought for justice and not for gain
G D G C G
But the magistrate sent me away.
G C G C G
Now the kings will rule and the poor will toil
Em C D
And tear their hands as they tear the soil.
Bm Em C
But a day will come in this dawning age
G D G C G
When an honest man sees and honest wage.
Chorus:
G C G C G
Hold me now, oh hold me now
Em C D
Til this hour has gone around.
Bm Em C
And I'm gone on the rising tide
G D G C G
For to face Van Diemen's Land.
Verse:
G C G C G
Still the gunman rules and widows pay
Em C D
a scarlet coat now a black beret.
Bm Em C
They thought that blood and sacrifice
G D G C G
Could out of death bring forth a life.
Chorus:
G C G C G
Hold me now, oh hold me now
Em C D
Til this hour has gone around.
Bm Em C
And I'm gone on the rising tide
G D G C G
For to face Van Diemen's Land.
