Bound for South Australia

19th century sea shanty

Like most shanties of this type, "South Australia"
was sung to a flexible combination of customary verses,
floating verses from within the general chanty repertoire,
and verses improvised in the moment or particular to
individual singers. The song was of indefinite length,
and created by supplying solo verses to a two-part refrain
followed by a grand chorus.

In South Australia I was born,
Heave away, Haul away!
In South Australia, round Cape Horn,
Bound for South Australia

Haul away, you rollin' king! (you ruler king!)
Heave away, Haul away!
Haul away, Oh hear me sing!
We're bound for South Australia

Now as I went out one morning fair,
Heave away, Haul away!
'twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair,
Bound for South Australia!

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

I shook her up, I shook her down,
Heave away, Haul away!
I shook her up and down the town!
Bound for South Australia!

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

There's one thing that does grieve my mind,
Heave away, Haul away!
It's leaving Nancy Blair behind,
We're bound for South Australia

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

And as we wallup around Cape Horn,
Heave away, Haul away!
You wish to God you'd never been born!
Bound for South Australia!

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

In South Australia I was born,
Heave away, Haul away!
In South Australia, round Cape Horn,
Bound for South Australia

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