A popular, rollicking sea shanty from the 1800s, A version of this traditional song with these - or similar - lyrics has been sung around the world, particularly by people from the UK, Ireland, Canada, USA, New Zealand, and Australia. Its simple structure, melody, lyrics and group chorus leads it open for folks of all ages and backgrounds to sing along.
lyrics
In South Australia I was born,
Heave away, haul away.
South Australia round Cape Horn,
Bound for South Australia.
CHORUS: Heave away you ruler kings,
Heave away, haul away
Heave away, you'll hear me sing,
Bound for South Australia.
There's one thing there that grieves my mind,
Heave away, haul away,
That's leaving Nancy Blair behind,
Bound for South Australia.
[CHORUS]
I'll tell the truth and tell no lie,
Heave away, haul away
I'll love that girl 'til the day I die,
Bound for South Australia.
[CHORUS]
As I was walloping around Cape Horn,
Heave away, haul away,
I wished to God I'd never been born,
Bound for South Australia.
[CHORUS]
And now I'm on a foreign strand,
Heave away, haul away,
With a bottle of whiskey in my hand,
Bound for South Australia.
[CHORUS]
I'll drink one glass to the foreign shore,
Heave away, haul away.
And another to the girl I adore,
Bound for South Australia.
[CHORUS]
So fare thee well and fare thee well,
Heave away, haul away,
And sweet news to my girl I'll tell,
Bound for South Australia.
[CHORUS]
credits
from To Lawsons Joy,
released January 26, 2014
Engineered by Bryce Moorhead.
Produced by Bryce Moorhead and Steve Towson.
The Kunkala Station Band are Steve Towson (lead vocals, guitar, drums and more), Les Buschel (guitar, backing vocals), Luke Mysliwy (violin, backing vocals), Kimbeaux Dawson (flute), Mitch Humphrys (double bass, guitar, backing vocals), Ness Glenn (cello, backing vocals).
Profile photo by Staples. Banner art by TB (Mr. T + MC.T + WHO).
Track image courtesy of State Library of Queensland.