South Australia – Roger McGuinn's Folk Den

South Australia is a capstan shanty used by the wool traders who worked the clipper ships between Australian ports and London.

This is well known as a farewell song, sung at the docks as the big
ships were leaving. The men grew a sentimental attachment to the song
and were even known to request a rousing chorus on their death beds, so
that they could die happy.

Lyrics:

[D] In South Australia [G] I was [D] born
[G] Heave [D] away! [G] Haul [D] away!
[D] South Australia [A] round Cape [D] Horn
And we’re bound for [A] South [D] Australia

[G] Haul away you [D] rolling king
[G] Heave [D] away! [G] Haul [D] away!
[G] All the way you’ll [D] hear me sing
And we’re bound for [A] South [D] Australia

As I wlaked out one morning fair
Heave away! Haul away!
It’s there I met Miss Nancy Blair
And we’re bound for South Australia

There ain’t but one thing grieves my mind
Heave away! Haul away!
It’s to leave Miss Nancy Blair behind
And we’re bound for South Australia

I run her all night I run her all day
Heave away! Haul away!
Run her before we sailed away
And we’re bound for South Australia

I shook her up I shook her down
Heave away! Haul away!
I shook her round and round and round
And we’re bound for South Australia

And as you wollop round Cape Horn
Heave away! Haul away!
You’ll wish that you had never been born
And we’re bound for South Australia

ï¿½ 1998 McGuinn Music Roger McGuinn