The Catalpa

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