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Catalpa Tab

by Real Mckenzies


                              
a noble whale ship and commander
                            
called the Catalpa, they say
                             
she sailed into Western Australia
                        
and took six poor Fenians away

                                 
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

                            
you kept them in Western Australia
                                
till their hair it began to turn grey
                                
when a Yank from the States of America
                             
came out here and stole them away

                              
now all the Perth boats were a-racing
                              
and making short tacks fot the spot
                              
but the Yankee she tacked into Fremantle
                              
and took the best prize of the lot

                                 
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

                               
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

                               
so remember those 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

                                 
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