The Catalpa

Misc Traditional

ChordsKeyCbeginner

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Chords in this song4

Excerpt from https://folkstream.com/021.html

First published in Three Street Ballads in 1957

This version was collected by Russel Ward from Victor Courtney a journalist

on the Sunday Times, Perth, Western Australia, who commented,

"I remember in my early days as a cadet hearing a band of old boys in a pub in Fremantle

singing this song. It is said that the song became so popular that it was banned by the

authority of the day and jail was threatened to anyone caught singing it.

It was suggested, too, that the escape was made easy because there was

plenty of American gold and some of it was placed in the hands of unscrupulous warders.

The incident took place in April 1876."

The escape of the six Fenians from Fremantle Jail was funded by collections in Australia

and the United States. Over three thousand pounds was collected in Australia.

Several tunes are associated with this song, including tunes used for 'Botany Bay' and 'The Dying Stockman'.

The tune given here is a variant of 'Rosin the Bow'.

Verse 1

A noble whale ship and commander

Called the Catalpa, they say

Came out to Western Australia

And took six poor Fenians away

Chorus

So come all you screw warders and jailers

Remember Perth regatta day

Take care of the rest of your Fenians

Or the Yankees will steal them away

Verse 2

Seven long years had they served here

And seven long more had to stay

For defending their country Old Ireland

For that they were banished away

Verse 3

You kept them in Western Australia

Till their hair began to turn grey

When a Yank from the States of Americay

Came out here and stole them away

Chorus

So come all you screw warders and jailers

Remember Perth regatta day

Take care of the rest of your Fenians

Or the Yankees will steal them away

Verse 4

Now all the Perth boats were a-racing

And making short tacks for the spot

But the Yankee she tacked into Fremantle

And took the best prize of the lot

Verse 5

The Georgette armed with bold warriors

Went out the poor Yanks to arrest

But she hoisted her star-spangled banner

Saying you'll not board me I guess

Chorus

So come all you screw warders and jailers

Remember Perth regatta day

Take care of the rest of your Fenians

Or the Yankees will steal them away

Verse 6

So remember six Fenians colonial

And sing o'er these few verses with skill

And remember the Yankee that stole them

And the home that they left on the hill

Verse 7

Now they've landed safe in Americay

And they will be able to cry

Hoist up the green flag and shamrock

Hurrah for old Ireland we'll die

Chorus

So come all you screw warders and jailers

Remember Perth regatta day

Take care of the rest of your Fenians

Or the Yankees will steal them away

Outro

So come all you screw warders and jailers

Remember Perth regatta day

Take care of the rest of your Fenians

Or the Yankees will steal them away

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