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CONVICT BLOOD
Many Australians have a convict heritage, hidden and never spoken about. The convict stain was a blemish many ignored but revealed in their character and actions.

lyrics

Convict Blood (Ross Jackson/Bill Jackson)

Where did you get that spirit to fight that streak in you to prevail
Where did you find in darkness a light to survive when others had failed
Where did you get that flaw in your soul that threatens to show the stain
Is it the ghost of something untold or the convict blood coursing through your veins

Why do you weep and sob inside when you see a mother and child
Why won’t the tears fill up your eyes on a face that’s forgotten to smile
Where did you get that devil may care and those scars you hide in shame
Is it the sadness or something too deep or the convict blood coursing through your veins

In the courts of the realm of County Down the lords and the nobles bowed to the crown
And festered hate across black bitter seas
Into the souls of long gone banished Transportees

How did you find that depth of hate when you landed on these shores
Using sugar, guns and alcohol to help you win the wars
Where did you get that rebel streak was it through heartbreak and pain
Was it the ghost of something cold or the convict blood coursing through your veins

In the courts of the realm of County Down the lords and the nobles bowed to the crown
And festered hate across black bitter seas
Into the souls of long gone banished Transportees

credits

from The Wayside Ballads Vol 3 (2021), released April 19, 2021
Bill Jackson: Acoustic Guitar/Vocal
Kerryn Tolhurst: Mandolin/Keyboards

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Bill Jackson Melbourne, Australia

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