Botany Bay, near Sydney was the infamous penal colony to which felons were transported. Country singers would probably have known colleagues transported there, adding an extra poignancy to the singing of the song. There are various songs of this title and on this theme, the best-known being an Australian version still widely sung today.

Although Mr Toms’ version is incomplete, the variations on the tune must have been skillfully sung.

Notes by Gwilym Davies, November 2015