I am a true born Irishman, John Mitchell is me name,
When first I joined my comrades from Newry town I came,
I laboured hard both day and night to free my native land,
For which I was transported unto Van Dieman's Land.

When first I joined my countrymen, it was in '42,
And what did happen after that I'll quickly tell to you,
I a-raised the standard of revolut, I gloried in the deed,
I vowed to heaven I ne'er would rest till old Ireland would be freed.

Farewell my gallant comrades, it grieves my heart full sore,
To think that I must part from you, perhaps for evermore,
The love I bear my native land, I know no other crime,
And that's the reason I must go into a foreign clime.

As I lay in strong irons bound, before my trial day,
My loving wife came to me cell, and thus to me did say,
"Oh, John, me dear, cheer up your heart, undaunted always be
For its better to die for Ireland's rights than live in slavery."

I was placed on board a convict ship without the least delay,
For Bermuda's Isle our course was steered, I'll ne'er forget the day,
As I stood upon the deck to take a farewell view,
I shed a tear, but not for fear, my native land, for you.

Goodbye, goodbye, to sweet Belfast, and likewise Dublin too,
And to my young and tender babes, alas, what will they do?
But there's one request I ask for you, when your liberty you gain,
Remember Mitchell far away, though a convict bound in chains.