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about

'Francis MacNamara or Frank the Poet as he became known, was sent to Australia as a convict in the 1830's for allegedly breaking a window and stealing some cloth. He wasn't your typical convict being well educated for the time and had a hard time of it enduring many floggings, mainly for insubordination and ended up being sentenced to another 10 years to the notorious Port Arthur in Van Diemen's land, now Tasmania, before eventually receiving his ticket of leave. He has been credited with a number of poems including 'The Ballad of Moreton Bay' and 'A Convicts tour of Hell' where he just so happens to meet a number of the well known leaders of the time and Ned Kelly quoted from his poems in his famous Jerilderie letter to the authorities. On arrival in Australia when asked his name he answered 'Francis MacNamara and no better man you'll meet', which I've incorporated into the song.'

lyrics

Frank the Poet

I'm Francis MacNamara, and I hail from Cashel Town,
As a convict and a poet I have come to some renown,
For the smashing of a window and the stealing of some cloth,
Transported from my homeland and there was left to rot.

Was on the ship Eliza I left old Erin's Isle,
With other petty criminals and the rank and file,
For seven years hard labour they said I'd have to stay,
There is no other place on earth that's quite like Botany Bay.

Chorus:
I'll take one for Erin Island, and one for tyranny,
One for my aged parents and one for bigotry,
One for my education and one for liberty,
And one for Frank the Poet for no better man you'll meet.

Soon after reaching Sydney town I was put on the chain gang,
Received my share of lashings and the treadmill's awful stand,
Spent time in the Phoenix and Cockatoo as well,
Shared my recollections in A Convict's Tour to Hell.


From Calala, Stroud then Newcastle to work upon the mines,
Refusing to work underground they extended out my time,
For escaping with four others who tried to make a stand,
Was sentenced to another 10, in Van Diemans land.


Well my bottles almost empty my time has almost come,
When not a mortal trace remains my poems will live on,
Recited by the campfire in extempore,
The name of Frank the Poet will go down in history.

Dave Norman, November 2019

credits

released September 11, 2021
Production Bass, tambourine and lead guitar, Pete Lamb,
Tin whistle, Steven Dockery,
Fiddle, Melinda Coles
Picture from Old Sydney Town.

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all rights reserved

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about

Dave Norman image

Dave Norman Brisbane, Australia

Environmental acoustic singer/songwriter. Founder of the Mango Hill & North Lakes Environmental Group (find us on Facebook !) I have been heavily involved in the fight for the local wildlife and particularly the Koala. Songs seem to be a great way to get the message across to everyone. We're lucky to have such amazing wildlife in Australia, let's protect it ! ... more

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