chrisryall.net home page, the Upton based local history Web ring
and to the BBC local history pages
Please don't imagine that my interest in Birkenhead and "Alabama" history in any way links me to the Southern Confederacy's policies or way of life.
M y name is Arthur Hollandin, as you may understand
I was born ten miles from Dublin, down on the salt sea strand
now when I was young and comely, and beauty on me shone
my parents loved me tenderly, for I was their only son
M y father came to me on day, and with me he did go
he bound me as a butcher boy to Pearson of Wicklow
I wore the bloody apron there for three long years or more
then sailed on board the Ocean Queen belonging to Tramore
W ell it was on Bermuda's Isle I met with Captain Moore
the commander of the Flying Cloud that sailed from Baltimore
I undertook to ship with him, one a slaving voyage to go
to the burning shores of Africa, where the sugar canes do grow
W ell all went well until one day we arrived at Africa's shore
and five hundred of them weeping slaves from their native land we bore
we made them walk in on a plank, and bound them down below
scarce 16 inches space was all that each man had to show
T he plague it came, and fever too and killed them off like flies
we took their bodies up on deck, and hove them in the sea
but sure that that was lucky 'cause they'd have to weep no more
nor bear the chain, nor feel the lash in Cuba for evermore
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Links to Birkenhead history page,
more on Wirral and Birkenhead chrisryall.net home page, the Upton based local history Web ring and to the BBC local history pages |
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www.chrisryall.net/birkenhead/cartoon.htm © Chris Ryall 1987-2008
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