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Van Diemens Land

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Dmajor

90BPM

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[Intro]
D   A G D
[Verse]
I Aam a girl from England, Susan GSummers is me Dname
For Afourteen years transported, was for Gtaking of some Dgame
As Afor us wretched females, we Gnever see a Dman
Though there's twenty to one Gwoman on Van ADieGmen's ALand
[Instrumental]
A  D  A G D
[Verse]
There's Apoor Tom Brown from Nottingham, Jack GWilliams and poor DJoe
They were Aall daring poachers as the Gcountry well does Dknow
At Anight they were trap-ended by the Gkeepers out of Dhand
For fourteen years transGported to Van ADieGmen's ALand
[Instrumental]
A  D  A G D
[Verse]
When Awe set sail from England, we Glanded in the Dbay
We had Arotten straw for bedding, we Gdare not to say 'Dnay'
Our Acots were fenced with wire, we Gslumber when we Dcan
To drive away the Gwolves upon Van ADieGmen's ALand
[Chorus]
Come Em7all you gallant poachers, give ear unDto me Gsong
It Ais a bit of good advice, although it is not Glong
Em7Lay by your dog and snare, to you I Ddo speak Gplain
CIf you knew the Ghardships, you'd never poach agaEm7in
[Verse]
The Afirst day we landed uGpon that fatal Dshore
The Aplanters they came flocking round, Gtwenty score and Dmore
They Adragged the men like horses and Gsold them out of Dhand
And yoked 'em to the Gplough all on Van ADieGmen's ALand
[Instrumental]
A  D  A G D
[Verse]
ASometimes when I'm sleeping, I Ghave a pleasant Ddream
With me Adear one I'm sitting down Gby some pearling Dstream
With me Afriends telling stories, aGround me they all Dstand
But I wake up broken Ghearted on Van ADieGmen's ALand
[Chorus]
Come Em7all you gallant poachers, give ear unDto me Gsong
It Ais a bit of good advice, although it is not Glong
Em7Lay by your dog and snare, to you I Ddo speak Gplain
CIf you knew the Ghardships, you'd never poach agaEm7in
[Verse]
AGod bless our families, likeGwise that happy Dshore
That Aisle of sweet contentment, that Gwe shall see no Dmore
For a Aplanter's bought me freedom, he's Gmarried me out of Dhand
Good usage then I'll Ggive him on Van ADieGmen's ALand
[Outro]
A  D  A G D

All chords in this song (5)

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Van Diemens Land

by Steeleye Span

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Em7

[Intro]

D A G D

[Verse]

A G D

I am a girl from England, Susan Summers is me name

A G D

For fourteen years transported, was for taking of some game

A G D

As for us wretched females, we never see a man

G A G A

Though there's twenty to one woman on Van Diemen's Land

[Instrumental]

A D A G D

[Verse]

A G D

There's poor Tom Brown from Nottingham, Jack Williams and poor Joe

A G D

They were all daring poachers as the country well does know

A G D

At night they were trap-ended by the keepers out of hand

G A G A

For fourteen years transported to Van Diemen's Land

[Instrumental]

A D A G D

[Verse]

A G D

When we set sail from England, we landed in the bay

A G D

We had rotten straw for bedding, we dare not to say 'nay'

A G D

Our cots were fenced with wire, we slumber when we can

G A G A

To drive away the wolves upon Van Diemen's Land

[Chorus]

Em7 D G

Come all you gallant poachers, give ear unto me song

A G

It is a bit of good advice, although it is not long

Em7 D G

Lay by your dog and snare, to you I do speak plain

C G Em7

If you knew the hardships, you'd never poach again

[Verse]

A G D

The first day we landed upon that fatal shore

A G D

The planters they came flocking round, twenty score and more

A G D

They dragged the men like horses and sold them out of hand

G A G A

And yoked 'em to the plough all on Van Diemen's Land

[Instrumental]

A D A G D

[Verse]

A G D

Sometimes when I'm sleeping, I have a pleasant dream

A G D

With me dear one I'm sitting down by some pearling stream

A G D

With me friends telling stories, around me they all stand

G A G A

But I wake up broken hearted on Van Diemen's Land

[Chorus]

Em7 D G

Come all you gallant poachers, give ear unto me song

A G

It is a bit of good advice, although it is not long

Em7 D G

Lay by your dog and snare, to you I do speak plain

C G Em7

If you knew the hardships, you'd never poach again

[Verse]

A G D

God bless our families, likewise that happy shore

A G D

That isle of sweet contentment, that we shall see no more

A G D

For a planter's bought me freedom, he's married me out of hand

G A G A

Good usage then I'll give him on Van Diemen's Land

[Outro]

A D A G D

About Van Diemens Land Chords by Steeleye Span

Learn how to play Van Diemens Land by Steeleye Span with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Van Diemens Land chords”, “Van Diemens Land guitar chords”, or “Steeleye Span Van Diemens Land chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Van Diemens Land chords and for experienced players who want accurate Van Diemens Land lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, A, G, Em7, C.

FAQ — Van Diemens Land by Steeleye Span

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What key is "Van Diemens Land" in?

The chords for "Van Diemens Land" show the original chord names (including D, A, G, Em7, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.