cd: Little Bits of Truth
track 5: Slave Ships, Coffin Ships
Slave ships, coffin ships, any name you choose
Greed became your master, ignore the lives you lose
Slave ships, coffin ships, you’ll be satisfied
You still make your fortune, if half your cargo dies
Set out from West Africa, bounty in your hold
Shackled to each other like cattle to be sold
Pack them close together, the strong ones will survive
They’re the ones of value when you reach the other side
Chorus
The barque has been converted, the chains have been removed
Only in the captain’s eyes conditions have improved
The broken huddled masses New York can ill afford
Without complete prepayment they won’t set a foot on board
Chorus
They’ve never met the landlord, but now they feel his hand
Forced to now abandon their home in Ireland
He provides the ticket, what choice do they own
Board the ship or perish, evicted from their homes
Chorus
Convicted Irish tenants clogging up the county gaols
Send them half around the world to the land of New South Wales
The ship requires more ballast, add a few more bodies on
The surgeon he will note the log they were healthy and so strong
Chorus
Dulahan Music
Written by Kyle Aughe