8
In Greenock town we did dwell-from infants loved sincere,
But my father thus to part us, acted a part severe;
He sent me up to Glasgow that we might parted be—
To my uncle's house confined me, which caused my misery.
Robert Taylor was my lover's name, and when he came to know
That we were seperated, distracted he did go;
He roamed about in deep distress—his mind could find no rest
The tought of his Eliza disturbed his troubled breast.
In search of his true love, he wandered up and down,
In lonesome groves and valleys, and many a seaport town;
But still no tidings he could get of her he loved so dear,
Which caused him dreary nights to pass, and many a bitter tear.
Her absence threw him in despair, all earthly joys were fled,
And with a gang on the highway, to rob ⟨by⟩ them was led:
A gentleman of wealth and store they met upon the road,
But he was seized, and 7 years sent o'er the salt sea flood.
When I read my lover’s fate that night upon my bed,
To rob my uncle, soon the thought came to my troubled head,
200 pounds from him I took, and quickly ran away,
Dressed out in man's apparel to cross the raging sea.
Our ship from Glasgow did set out to go to New South Wales,
But on the way she was o'ertook by dreadful storms and gales;
Her timbers crashed, her decks were swept by the resistless waves,
And every one, except myself, met with a watery grave
Kind providence preserved my life—I was washed on shore,
No food or shelter could I find, but heard the wild beasts roar:
By chance, a Dutch ship came that way, on her I got aboard,
When they found out I was a maid, their help they did afford.
To New South Wales they did take me which eased my troubled mind,
Hundreds of miles I travelled, my own true love to find;
But fortune still did prove my friend, my love I soon did see,
Hit master when he heard my woe, shed tears of grief for me.
He took me in his service, and was very fond of me,
My Robert and I got married in the bonds of unity;
And when his time was expired, to Scotland we sailed o’er,
Our friends reserved us kindly, never to part more.
