South Australia Lyrics

About this shanty

"South Australia" is one of the most energetic capstan shanties in the tradition, associated particularly with the wool trade — ships carrying wool from Australia to Britain. It is a homeward-bound song, sung as sailors raised anchor to leave an Australian port. Its bouncing, major-key melody made it popular both at sea and in the concert hall, and it remains one of the most frequently performed shanties at festivals today.

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Lyrics

Capstan shanty

In South Australia I was born,
Heave away! Haul away!
In South Australia, round Cape Horn,
We're bound for South Australia!

Haul away, you rolling king,
Heave away! Haul away!
Haul away, oh hear me sing,
We're bound for South Australia!

As I walked out one morning fair,
Heave away! Haul away!
'Twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair,
We're bound for South Australia!

There's just one thing that troubles me,
Heave away! Haul away!
That's leaving Nancy on the quay,
We're bound for South Australia!

And as we wallop round Cape Horn,
Heave away! Haul away!
You'll wish to God you'd never been born,
We're bound for South Australia!

Heave away, you bully, bully boys,
Heave away! Haul away!
Heave away and make some noise,
We're bound for South Australia!

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