I am an orphan girl,
In Westport I was found,
The workhouse is my world,
Since the praties took us down.
What time in life is left to me,
If I don’t leave Westport town?
But the crown is sending girls to sea,
for far Australia bound.
Sail, sail, sail me away,
Sail to Australia;
Sail, sail, sail me I pray,
Sail me away, to Australia.
They say Australia’s fine,
They say Australia’s fair,
Australia’s on my mind,
And the fields of praties there.
I pray when this inspection’s done,
That they’ll say me fit to sail,
For they don’t just send out anyone,
Oh Lord, don’t see me fail.
Sail, sail, sail me away,
Sail to Australia;
Sail, sail, sail me I pray,
Sail me away, to Australia.
I am scarcely turned sixteen,
But I’m ready now to go.
I’m decent and I’m clean,
Fit for any man to know.
And I will be some good man’s wife,
If there I’ll settle down.
And find myself a better life,
If I get to Sydney town.
Sail, sail, sail me away,
Sail to Australia;
Sail, sail, sail me I pray,
Sail me away, to Australia.
I am an orphan girl,
Oh I am an orphan girl.
