The Convict) Bad Companions and Evil Influences The narrator usually blames bad companions, or, as in the quote from The Convict quoted above, a woman. Sometimes the narrator becomes a criminal in order to support a woman. I fell in love with a damsel, she was handsome and gay, I neglected my work more and more every day. And to keep her like a lady, I went on the highway, And for that I got sent to Australia. From "Australia" sung by the Suffolk singer Cyril Poacher, Distressed Aged Parents and Faithful Sweethearts The transported convict often left behind elderly parents and faithful sweethearts who showed their grief in various ways. I oft-times looked behind me towards my native shore And the cottage of contentment that I shall see no more; Likewise my aged father who tore his hoary hair, Also my tender mother whose arms did once me bear. "Van Diemen's Land" from the singing of Harry Cox. Farewell my aged mother, I'm vexed for what I've done, I hope none will upcast to you the race that I have run; I hope you'll be provided for when I am far awa, Far frae the bonnie hills and dales o' Caledonia. Farewell my honoured father, he is the best of men, And likewise my own sweetheart, 'tis Catherine is her name; Nae mair we'll walk by Clyde's clear stream or by the Broomielaw, For I must leave the hills and dales o' Caledonia. "Jamie Raeburn's Farewell" from the singing of Daisy Chapman Harsh Treatment The ballads emphasize "the hardships we do undergo upon Van Diemens Land". Conditions were certainly hard in all the Australian penal colonies. Now the judges, they stand With their whips in their hands, They drive us, like horses, To plough up the land. You should see us poor young fellows Working in that jail yard; How hard is our fate in Australia. From "Australia" from the singing of Bob Hart They chained us two by two and whipped and lashed along They cut off our provisions if we did the least thing wrong They march us in the burning sun until our feet are sore So hard's our lot now we are got to Van Diemen's shore We labour hard from morn to night until our bones do ache Then every one they must obey their mouldy beds must make We often wish when we