The ballad of Matavai Bay

And we cried and we cried and we cried and we cried 

And we cried as we kissed goodbye I saw my child in her eyes

And then we left and we sailed the seas 

And I don't think that we will meet each other again


Eight months is a very long time We spent our days hoping and dreaming

We all missed our wives and the wine

We dropped anchor in Matavai Bay on April the thirteenth 1769 When the women were so fine

And the captain said, "Let me tell you something:  The women round here will do it for nothing

Don't forget you represent your country"

Well I was a young and healthy sailor, nobody saw when I took a nail or two

If there was nothing around, only paradise I know it would be an easy choice for you

And we cried and we cried and we cried ...


Three months later there weren't any nails  And we had to leave, 'cos the captain said

We had to look for another continent

Well I was happy living there, I didn't want to leave

So I escaped with my girl and we hid in the trees

But they caught me and took me back to the ship and flogged me

And later I heard that Mr Christian Threw his captain in the sea like food for the fish

And lived and died in paradise

And we cried and we cried and we cried...


I went back to England, I played with my children I waited for news of another expedition

Well home is fine, but a man has obligations 

Well my dream came true and on the waves we flew

I thought of my wife but I saw Matavai I told the others what was waiting

Oh but when we arrived I couldn't decide If the alcohol, the influenza

The religion or the clothes we were wearing Or the other thing nobody talks about was the worst thing

If there was nothing around, no paradise I know it would be an easy choice for you

And we cried and we cried and we cried

And we cried as we kissed goodbye I saw my child in her eyes

And then we left and we sailed the seas And I don't think that we will meet each other again