Motley Words

Farewell to Old England forever
Farewell to you numbskulls as well
Farewell to the well known Old Bailey
Where I always did look such a swell

Singing toorali-orali-addai
Singing toorali-oolari-ai
Singing toorali-ollari-addai
And I’ll see you in Botany bay

Now my crime ‘gainst the whole British Nation
Was to take some dry bread one fine day
It was death or it was transportation,
They tossed a coin, sent me away

The Captain now he’s our commander
There’s the bo’sun and all of the crew
There’s first and the second class passengers
Knows what we poor convicts go through

Well if I had the wings of a turtle-dove
I’d sail on my pinions so high
Straight in to the arms of my Polly love
And in her sweet presence I’d die

Now take heed all you
Dukes and your Duchesses
Pay attention to what I now say
Make sure it’s your own what you touchesses
Or you’ll join me in Botany Bay

[Chorus x2] Singing toorali-orali-addai
Singing toorali-oolari-ai
Singing toorali-ollari-addai
And I’ll see you in Botany bay

[After chorus 2] Too-ra li ay, Too-ra li ay, Too-ra li ay.