South Australia

Melody - Capstan shanty

In South Australia I was born
To me heave away, haul away
In South Australia round Cape Horn
Chorus
We're bound for South Australia
Haul away you rolling kings
To me heave away, haul away
Haul away, you'll hear me sing
We're bound for South Australia

2. As I walked out one morning fair
To me heave away, haul away
'Twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair
Chorus

3. I shook her up and I shook her down
To me heave away, haul away
I shook her round and round the town
Chorus

4. I run her all night and I run her all day
To me heave away, haul away
And I run her until we sailed away
Chorus

5. There ain't but one thing grieves me mind
To me heave away, haul away
To leave Miss Nancy Blair behind
Chorus

6. And as we wallop around Cape Horn
To me heave away, haul away
You'll wish to God you'd never been born
Chorus

7. In South Australia my native land
To me heave away, haul away
Full of rocks and thieves and fleas and sand
Chorus

8. I wish I was on Australia's strand
To me heave away, haul away
With a bottle of whiskey in my hand
Chorus

A capstan shanty used by the wool traders who worked the clipper ships between Australia and England. It is a farewell song, sung at the docks as the ships were leaving port. It seems some grew a sentimental attachment to the song and were even known to request a rousing chorus on their death beds.

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