Lyrics
South Australia
Capstan and Pump Shanty; sometimes a Halyard Shanty ; also sung as a Forebitter
Traditional, with additional lyrics by Gina Dalby and Christie Dalby
Christie
As he walked out one morning fair,
(Resp.) Heave away, haul away,
There he met Miss Nancy Blair,
(Resp.) We’re bound for South Australia. (Lead call in Chorus)
(Chorus)
Haul away, you rolling king,
Heave away, haul away,
Haul away, oh hear me sing,
We’re bound for South Australia.
Dean
She was pretty of dress and pretty of face,
(Resp.) Heave away, haul away,
She was fit to make his poor heart race.
(Resp.) We’re bound for South Australia. (Lead call in Chorus)
Gina
So they went strolling down the lane,
(Resp.) Heave away, haul away,
Stealing kisses in the rain,
(Resp.) We’re bound for South Australia. (Lead call in Chorus)
Jon
He shook her up, he shook her down,
(Resp.) Heave away, haul away,
He shook her round and round the town,
(Resp.) We’re bound for South Australia. (Lead call in Chorus)
Christie
He asked her father for her hand,
(Resp.) Heave away, haul away,
He said they’d have to stay on land,
(Resp.) We’re bound for South Australia. (Lead call in Chorus)
Dean
There’s just one thing that grieves his mind,
(Resp.) Heave away, haul away,
To leave Miss Nancy Blair behind,
(Resp.) We’re bound for South Australia. (Lead call in Chorus)
Jon
He rung her all night, he rung her all day,
(Resp.) Heave away, haul away,
He rung her before he sailed away,
(Resp.) We’re bound for South Australia. (Lead call in Chorus)
Gina
Miss Nancy Blair ain’t come to harm,
(Resp.) Heave away, haul away,
Been seen at night on a new man’s arm,
(Resp.) We’re bound for South Australia. (Lead call in Chorus)
Haul away, you rolling king,
Heave away, haul away,
Haul away, oh hear me sing,
We’re bound for South Australia.
WHERE TO FIND IT
Song Notes
From Laura Smith’s 1888 collection, The Music of the Waters.
A. L. Lloyd said in the sleeve notes from his recording, Blow Boys Blow :
“South Australia is a capstan shanty of the wool clippers that plied between the Australian ports and London. A particular favourite as a farewell song, sung to accompany the work of lifting the anchor. Ted Howard, of Barry, from whom our version comes, told how he and other shell-backs were gathered round the bed of a former shipmate. The dying man said: ‘I think I’m slippin’ my cable, lads. Strike up South Australia and let me go happy.'”