The Convict's Lament (Trad)

This version of the Convict's Lament was performed by The Young Ireland Collective in St John's Church Richmond in February 2024. The song formed part of a themed concert called "The Young Irelanders in Van Diemen's Land-A Musical History".
The tune is the ancient Irish air "Youghal", while the lyrics are derived from the Australian folk song "Moreton Bay", believed to have been written by Francis Macnamara who was transported from Ireland to Australia in 1830. He didn't serve time in Moreton Bay in Queensland but was imprisoned at Port Arthur in Tasmania from 1842-47. We modified the lyrics to relocate the song to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania).
Seven leaders of the Young Ireland Movement were transported to Van Diemen's Land in 1849 for their political activism during the Great Irish Famine. At least two of these Young Irelanders formed links with the township of Richmond, which were acknowledged as part of Richmond's Bicentennial celebrations.
The performers were Annie Woolley, Barry Higgins, Elise Okell, John Hickey and Mat Woolley.
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